By John Turcotte

© MMXVII All Rights Reserved dragonsfoot.org

 An AD&D Adventure for Characters Levels 6-8

© 2010 John Turcotte

AUTHOR: John Turcotte

PROOFREADING & DAMN FINE IDEAS: Anthony Allen, William Beatty, Greg Ellis, Ronald Redmond,
Marco Cavagna, and Tibor Kosa
COVER ART: Brian “Glad” Thomas
INTERIOR ART: Zhu Bajie, Andy “ATOM” Taylor, Brian Thomas, John Turcotte
CARTOGRAPHY: Andreas Claren
LAYOUT: Jeff Johnson
SPECIAL THANKS: The Dragonsfoot fora and all the audacious ideas spawned
by the fine and motley crew who congregate there

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF GARY GYGAX

Dragonsfoot UK Visit our website

Free & Original for more AD&D
RPG Materials resources

http://www.dragonsfoot.org

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and AD&D are registered trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast.
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
The shadows of past ages crowded in upon us, chaotic and horrific, and
I felt as though the ghosts of all the priests and victims who had walked
those galleries for four thousand years were keeping pace with us. The
vast wings of dark, forgotten gods hovered over that hideous pile of
antiquity.
— Robert E. Howard, The Voice of El-lil

BACKGROUND

The long gloom of winter has passed. The sun,
absent for weeks, has begun to creep above the
horizon, bringing warmth back to the Land of Song.
The spring sunlight also brings lengthening shadows
from the Trevärä Peaks. With the spring comes the
thaw and with the thaw the mountain passes will
open. Her Dark Majesty’s awful black host waits in
those shadowed vales and wastes. When the snow
pack relents, the host will descend into the Land of
Song as they did in generations past, sowing terror
and death.
Yngvar, the venerable Jarl of the land, has rallied all
the Clans. Though weakened by the brutal winter,
the Clanfolk have marshaled their forces and their
banners and totems now defiantly surround the thick
stone walls of the Jarl’s seat at Kerava. Her Dark Maj-
esty will not take the people unaware. Although starv-
ing and still shaking off the sicknesses of winter, their
war songs surely carry to the very feet of the peaks.
Yngvar has sought your counsel. Nearly eighty years
ago, Her Dark Majesty sought to break the Clans
and failed. The great Jarl Hjalmar led the Clans to
meet her host on the frozen Sigrfjord. They battled
until the spilled blood melted the ice and her broken
body was dashed down into the blue-black depths.
Hjalmar’s bone-weary forces besieged her wicked
fortress, Black Towen, tore down its walls and set fire
to its dungeons.
It was not enough. Her Dark Majesty lives! From the
wicked ghost city of Nälkäinen Kivenen in the light-
less north, she plots to destroy Hjalmar’s kin. Through
her agents, she desecrated the burial grounds of the
Clans’ champions, rebuilt Black Towen and sewed
wickedness and betrayal throughout the long dark
winter. Men such as Hjalmar no longer walk the
earth. Even if the Clans can again repulse the enemy
forces, surely she will strike over and over. It is not
enough to cut off the tentacles creeping south; a
blade must be driven through her malevolent black
heart once and for all! As the forces of weal and
woe give fight, the heroes must penetrate north, to
Her Dark Majesty’s seat of power.
The way will not be easy. Indeed, it is far worse than
standing before her dread host. Who can say what
awful things may be found in the pitiless pitch-dark
gulfs of those frozen wastes?
START: This module is the fourth and final in the Her
Dark Majesty series, following Where the Fallen
Jarls Sleep, Beneath Black Towen and Stormcrows
Gather. It is not necessary to play any of these mod-
ules in order to run this adventure; each installment
of the series may be played independently of the
others if the DM so chooses.
This adventure is for experienced players. The party
should number between 6–8 members. If there
are fewer or more player characters, the DM must
adjust the encounters contained herein accordingly.
If the players have completed the other modules in
this series, they may have made fast alliances and
recruited helpful NPCs (Toivo the agathion and
Viggo the Skald, for example) who may aid them in
their mission. They may have further acquired useful
magic items (Teodor’s Knife or Hjortur’s Shield, for
example).
Yngvar will outfit the adventurers with whatever
reasonable and necessary provisions they need for
the journey, bearing in mind the relative paucity
of resources and the modest wealth of the Clans.
Yngvar will further send a faithful guide, Gregers,
to lead the party on their search. Gregers is a 5th
level chaotic good fighter (HP: 33; S: 13; I: 11; W:
11; D: 14; C: 15; CH: 13), familiar with the layout
of the land. He is equipped with +1 studded leather
armor, large wooden shield, spear, +1 throwing
axe and +1 long sword. He carries potions of her-
oism and speed. If Gregers perished during play of
the previous adventures, his place will be taken by
his cousin Jens, who has identical characteristics.
If the party requests, Yngvar can also provide each
party member with a warrior bodyguard. These 1st
level neutral fighters are outfitted with leather armor,
large wooden shields, spears and long swords. The
Jarl’s venerable wise-woman, Siri, can also send

2
DF34 John Turcotte
Livia, a 2nd level neutral cleric (HP: 11, S: 8; I: 14;
W: 15; D: 13; C: 11; CH: 14), equipped with pad-
ded armor, a small metal shield and a quarterstaff.
She will further bestow each player character with a
pair of earthen jugs, each containing two doses of
a powerful honeyed brew equivalent to a potion of
extra healing and each cleric in the party (includ-
ing Livia) with two vials of holy water. Further, as
the party faces the archenemy of the Clans, she will
provide the highest-level cleric with two scrolls: 1)
continual light, cure disease, cure serious wounds;
2) dispel magic and divination (all scribed at 11th
level). A druid PC is given a scroll with cure disease,
cure serious wounds, dispel magic, and neutralize
poison (scribed at 9th level). Lastly, she is willing to
cast commune, cast at 11th level, on behalf of the
party, to divine answers to questions they may have.
NOTES FOR THE DUNGEON MASTER: This mod-
ule makes use of spells and magic items from
UNEARTHED ARCANA, but does not indicate in the
text whether NPC fighters are specialized with any
weapons. To the extent you, the DM, use special-
ization in your campaign, care should be taken to
ensure that NPC fighters have specializations com-
mensurate with the fighter PCs in your game. Please
note further that, except for the rare circumstance,
only hit points are provided for the foes encountered
herein. Unless otherwise indicated, all other statis-
tics, including Armor Class, as per the MONSTER
MANUAL, MONSTER MANUAL II, FIEND FOLIO
and DEITIES & DEMIGODS apply. For example, if
the Encounter Key describes “two grugach (HP: 6,
5), each armed with long swords”, the DM is to
assume that the remainder of the stats conform to
the “ELF, Grugach” entry in MONSTER MANUAL II,
i.e., (AC: 6; MV: 15”; HD: 1+1; #ATT: 1; DM: 1–8;
SD: 90% resistant to sleep and charm; AL: N(CN);
XP: 65+2/hp).
This adventure brings the PCs to a very dangerous
place, far from help and with no easy means of
escape. Players who utilize strategy and carefully
(and literally) choose their battles have a chance to
prevail. Those who incautiously rush headlong into
Her Dark Majesty’s citadel are doomed.
RUMORS: Before leaving on their quest the adventur-
ers may seek to gather information from the folk at
Yngvar’s Hall. Those who make positive ENCOUN-
TER REACTION rolls in Kerava and elsewhere may
learn 1–4 of the following rumors. Note that an (F)
following the rumor indicates that the rumor is false.
3
1. Her Dark Majesty comes from a mysterious
people who secluded themselves in the blasted
wastes beyond the Trevärä Peaks.
2. Nälkäinen Kivenen is the ghost of a city; the
ruins of a wondrous place felled by a horrible
curse. It is peopled by shades and far worse
(Mostly True).
3. In the center of the city there is a vast courtyard.
In the center of the yard is a great silver trap-
door engraved with runes of power and bound
with thick hoarfrost-encrusted iron chains. If
opened, hell itself will be unleashed. (F)
4. A great and terrible beast is imprisoned
beneath Nälkäinen Kivenen, bred by Her Dark
Majesty with the intent to unleash it on the Land
of Song. Now even she fears it!
5. The dead walk in Nälkäinen Kivenen; it is no
place for the living.
6. The Ghost City is a myth; you’ll die in the Trev-
ärä Peaks trying to find it. (F)
7. Her Dark Majesty was truly slain by Hjalmar
during the Winter of Tears; an imposter has
taken up her banner. (F)
8. The front gate is unlocked and unguarded, but
to enter one must sign The Black Book, striking
one’s name from the Book of the Living and
condemning one to hell. (Partially True)
9. There is no return from Nälkäinen Kivenen;
once you step within that evil place, you can
never return to the land of the living. (Partially
True)
10. Nothing at all dwells in the Ghost City; the
entire place is deserted, haunted only by evil
memories. (F)
TRAVEL TO THE GHOST CITY: Traveling overland
through the Trevärä Peaks is difficult, even under
the best of conditions. The majestic peaks stretch far
to the north, where they eventually give way to the
Plains of Woe, a desolate waste of ice and perma-
frost. Deep fjords claw through the frozen earth like
grasping fingers. If the fjords are followed north, one
will eventually come to the deadly Sea of Gnashing
Teeth. Even during the height of summer, this land
is wracked with unrelenting cold. The spring sun
does not rise high enough to overcome the sharp
peaks and the entire tableau is one of frigid shad-
ows and icy gales. At night, the northern lights storm
about the mountain heights, illuminating everything
beneath with a ghostly glow. The overland journey
is not described herein. The DM is directed to MAP
A and APPENDIX D: WILDERNESS ENCOUNTERS.
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
THE GHOST CITY OF NÄLKÄINEN
KIVENEN
The walled Ghost City is located at the edge of the
Trevärä Peaks. It is perched on the shoulder of a
bare, ice-swathed peak overlooking a deep fjord.
The city can be seen for some distance, as its pale
stones glow with an unhealthy greenish-white light,
gleaming like an unholy beacon. A steep and slick
switchback road of inlaid basalt blocks climbs the
peak to the gates. The city walls are sheer and
unadorned.
In addition to the ghastly glow, from dawn to mid-
night, the Ghost City shimmers as if seen through a
great heat, an incongruous vision in the face of the
bone-numbing chill of the accursed valley below. It
can only be clearly seen out of the corner of one’s
eye. At times, it appears as if one can see through
the city, and behold the stark cliff behind it.
At midnight, a ghastly bell (FORSAKEN CITADEL:
LEVEL ONE, AREA 19) tolls thirteen times, and the
city becomes frighteningly real and solid. The walls’
phosphorescence is pronounced and fluctuates with
the Northern Lights above. The city remains in this
state until dawn, when the bell peals thirteen times
again and the city returns to its semi-corporeal state.
The city is a horrible place, co-existing between the
Prime Material Plane and Dis, the second layer of
the Nine Hells. Her Dark Majesty’s unspeakable
oaths and acts have condemned the city and have
created a great gaping gate between the worlds,
its walls the demarcation between the planes. The
gate is incomplete at this time and the residents of
Dis cannot yet storm unimpeded into the world. At
the present, the gate is one-way; allowing creatures
from the Prime to enter Dis but prohibiting the dia-
bolical residents of that place from escaping into
the Prime without Dispater’s direct order. The gate
is growing, however, and fiends are filtering into
the world.
Whether the city appears corporeal or not, the walls
are solid enough to prohibit entry. They are a full 30’
tall and are constructed from tight-fitting stone, con-
stituting “very smooth” walls for purposes of a thief’s
climbing skill. No sentries can be seen atop the walls
or manning the towers. Besides the main gate, there
are six other, smaller, gates; some no more than a
stoutly locked iron door (the DM may place them
wherever he sees fit; they are not identified on MAP
B). Reaching these other gates is precarious, due to
4
the surrounding cliffs. Moreover, all are locked and
trapped. The exact nature of the traps is up to the
DM, but at least one summons a bone devil to pre-
vent entry.
ENCOUNTERS IN THE CITY: Once a gate is entered,
or the city walls surmounted, the howling wind
abruptly ceases, although the biting cold remains.
The walls of the city retain their corpse-glow, but the
crowded structures within are constructed from a
drab, lifeless gray-black stone. The cramped streets
are cobblestone and slick with hoarfrost. The build-
ings squeeze the narrow streets, forming a crush
of gaping doors and windows. The buildings and
streets weave into a thick maze of overhanging bal-
conies and gates. A great fortress, constructed of the
same glimmering stone, towers over the gloom from
the heart of the city.
The Ghost City is completely unlit and silent. The
overall sense is one of emptiness and despair. Hope
is sucked away. The windows are black and empty,
the multitude of homes and buildings vacant. The
entire city is deserted and bereft of life. The party’s
lights seem harsh, their footsteps echo loudly and
weirdly down the barren lanes.
The DM is directed to MAP B. The entire locale is
not described and the DM may fill out and populate
the Ghost City as s/he deems fit. Nälkäinen Kivenen
is a small yet densely-packed walled city. There are
hundreds of buildings, most of which are two stories
or more. The buildings are all empty, with neither fur-
niture nor any sign of life. It seems at times as if the
city never housed the living; as if it were constructed
to remain forever empty, a monument to loneliness.
Surely there also exist cellars, cisterns and sewers
beneath the city as well. The party could easily
spend a lifetime exploring every inch of the place.
However, their gaze always returns to the fortress
with its four horn-like towers.
From dawn until midnight, those within the city who
climb to an upper story or who clamber upon the
walls are gifted with a horrible truth: the city is sur-
rounded not by the frigid mountainscape, but rather
it is surrounded by desolate midnight plains of ash
(the mountain peak in the Prime is a lonely butte in
Dis). The sky is a deep blue and lit, at times, by red
lightning. A river of white flames flows not far in the
distance.
Once one enters the city, “breaking the plane” of
one of the gates or surmounting the walls, they enter
DF34 John Turcotte
the in-between space occupied by the Ghost City. Encounter Notes:
Entry is always possible from the Prime, but escape
must be between midnight to dawn, when the city 1. This awful thing is an immature spawn of a
is fully on the Prime. At any other time, PCs exiting Cold Woman (see DEITIES & DEMIGODS; AC:
the city find themselves on the plains of Dis. Once 4; MV: 9”; HD: 8; HP: 58; #ATT: 1; DM: 2–20;
midnight falls, the land surrounding the city bends SA: “bite” paralyzes (save or be paralyzed for
and twists, and suddenly the mountains of the Prime 2–20 turns); cold ray once per day: 6” range,
are visible again (NOTE: For those venturing outside 3–36 hp damage (save versus wands to avoid
the city when midnight strikes, they see only that the (DEX modifiers apply)); phantasmal force thrice
city has become ghostly on Dis. They will have to per day; corrosive attack destroys armor at the
wait to be within the city limits at midnight to try to rate of a black pudding; SD: Half damage
escape again). If the party members decide to strike from slashing/stabbing weapons, no damage
out into Hell, it is up to the DM to determine what from blunt weapons; immune to cold attacks,
they may find. A suggested encounter table is pro- half or no damage from electrical attacks; AL:
vided in APPENDIX E. N(E); XPV: 2,150). If it surprises the party, it
will magically disguise itself as a damsel in dis-
NOTE: Innumerable places to hide exist within the tress or perhaps a Lost Soul (q.v.) to lure the
Ghost City. This may play in the favor of heroes party members close. It is encountered only
attempting to stage a raid into the Forsaken Citadel, once and has no treasure.
as even Her Dark Majesty’s forces will likely never be 2. These are the heart-breaking condemned of the
able to find a party determined not to be found. At Ghost City. Not evil-aligned in life, they have
the DM’s discretion, the party may locate either (or not incorporated as lemures but are rather
both) of the thoul tunnels (DUNGEON LEVEL, AREA naked souls. Unable to escape the bounds of
18) debouching into a cellar or cistern, permitting the city, they appear as pitiful figures outlined
secret access to Her Dark Majesty’s citadel. with licks of honey-yellow flames, as insub-
stantial as smoke. They will beg and plead
The city is not entirely empty. Creatures from Dis may for release from their eternal torment and will
freely enter the city; although it is an unlovely place, generally follow the PCs everywhere, inadver-
even for Hell. Encounters are rare and should be tently impeding them on their mission. While
diced for once every six hours with an encounter the ‘Souls are with the party, chances for
occurring 1 chance in 10. Use the following table: encounters are doubled. They can be turned
(but not destroyed) by clerics as if they were
00 Roll Encounter shadows. They cannot be harmed by any force
01 1 Cold Maiden1 the PCs may bring to bear. They will flee at
02–03 1–2 Devils, Keres (see NEW MONSTERS) the sign of any devil or diabolical creature.
04–06 3–12 Black Watch Members (see NEW MONSTERS) They are truly damned; the PCs cannot save
07–10 4–16 Duergar (MMII) them. Not even a wish will suffice here on Dis.
11–15 2–5 Hellhounds (MM) If help is attempted however, or if PCs at least
16–22 2–12 Shadows (MM) hear their pitiful tales, they may (on a success-
23–30 1–4 Mephits (equal chance for all types) (FF and ful ENCOUNTER REACTION roll) reveal the
NEW MONSTERS) secret entry into the Forsaken Citadel (LEVEL
31–39 3–18 Lemures (MM) ONE, AREA 4).
40–46 4–24 Nupperibos (MMII) 3. These incorporeal horrors are as powerful as
47–57 1–4 Lost Souls2 shadows, but their touch paralyzes as that of
58–65 4–24 Larvae (MM) a ghast. They can be turned as wights (XPV:
66–72 2–20 Zombies (MM) 255 + 4/hp).
73–80 1–4 Devils, Spined (MMII) 4. This encounter functions as the spell Creeping
81–87 1 Manticore (MM) Doom (q.v.); coalescing 2–8” from the party
88–92 1–4 Shades of Dis3 and thence moving unerringly in its direction.
93–94 1 Devil, Bearded (MMII), herding 3–30 larvae Wise PCs will immediately flee beyond its
95–97 1 Hellcat (FF) reach; those who treat it as some manner of
98–99 1 Devil, Abishai (equal chance for all types) (MMII) monster to defeat will be horribly slain. Its dura-
00 1 Creeping Doom4 tion is 48 rounds.

5
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
MAIN GATE: The switchback basalt road leads
directly to a massive gate. Two great portals
stand open, each some twenty feet tall and deeply
engraved with wicked glimmering runes. Above
them, a great and sinuous four-winged, six-legged,
owl-headed dragon is carved in bas-relief, glower-
ing down upon those daring to enter. Beyond the
gate, three sets of portcullises have been raised, all
of blackened iron and cruelly barbed. The passage
leading into the city is built from the same luminous
stone as the walls. Row upon row of murder-holes
line the ceiling. Although the party may expect oth-
erwise, these gates are unmanned. No rational soul
would ever tread here and Her Dark Majesty has
not accounted for such a trespass. A tall gaunt man
with a beard reaching to his feet waits just beyond
the gate. He is dressed in only a thin mauve cowled
robe, seemingly oblivious to the cold. Beside him, a
massive iron-banded tome, its cover bearded with
frost, sits atop a squat pedestal. The book is chained
to a ring in the ground.
This is Ólafur, Her Dark Majesty’s gatekeeper. He is
charged with recording the names of all who come
and go, faithfully writing down each name in the
record beside him. He is a Heartless One (HP: 13,
see NEW MONSTERS, q.v.) and will not defend
himself if attacked, instead staring down his assail-
ants with a fierce and wounded pride as he is struck
down. The book is impervious to all weapons of
less than +3 and all spells lower than 6th level; it
cannot be separated from its chain unless its lock
is 1) touched by a holy relic, 2) picked by a thief
of not less than 14th level, 3) touched by a maiden
of pure heart (paladins qualify); or 4) smashed by
a holy sword or mace of disruption. It contains the
names of numerous devils and malign beings and
could be invaluable to the right party (although the
fiends of hell will most certainly track it down if it is
ever stolen, perhaps forming the basis for a separate
adventure).
A stout wooden door nearby, within the wall, provides
access to Ólafur’s meager quarters. Besides his stiff
sleeping pallet (within which he has concealed an
ornate silver flask with lavish mother-of-pearl details
and a large orange pearl-topped stopper (GPV:
255) of excellent brandy), threadbare blankets and
a basin, the only item of interest is a set ink and quills
and a thick collection of scrolls nearly completely
covered with his meticulous and tiny handwriting.
Ólafur’s Account (XPV: 3,000; GPV: 12,000) is an
exhaustive log of his post since he replaced his pre-
decessor nearly 80 years ago. Reading it is a dull,
6
tedious and lackluster endeavor. It takes 3 days to
read the full record. Any cleric who completes the
effort gains a permanent +1 bonus on turning dev-
ils and diabolic entities; a magic-user who does so
gains a +5% bonus when attempting to gate in such
creatures that they stay and take some act. Unfor-
tunately, the exercise also ages the reader 1 year
and requires a successful saving throw against death
magic or the reader will develop dementia praecox
(see DUNGEON MASTERS GUIDE, p. 83).
THE FORSAKEN CITADEL
KEY: Unless otherwise indicated the chambers are
unlit and have ceilings 9’ high. It is cold (aver-
aging no more than 45º F). Generally speaking,
there are no wandering monsters per se within
the complex, but inhabitants will investigate dis-
turbances. Because of the resident devils’ ability
to teleport, the party must proceed carefully to
avoid alerting the entire fortress. As set forth in the
MONSTER MANUAL, however, lesser devils will
generally fight to the death unless other behavior
is indicated in the encounter description, desper-
ate to prevail and curry favor with their Mistress. It
should further be noted that Hell is a strange place
and the party’s appearance alone is not enough
to cause alarm.
LEVEL ONE
1. MAIN GATE. The citadel is surrounded by a 20’
tall wall of the same glimmering stone as the city
walls, with crenulated battlements atop. There is
no sign of any sentries. Two gates allow entry.
The main gate is the more daunting of the two;
worked to appear as the vast gaping maw of
some horrific beast. A pair of immense bronze
portals worked with evil runes fill its jaws, both
swung open to allow the damned into its gullet.
Silver-tipped portcullises form rows of fangs. The
roof of its throat is pitted with countless murder
holes. A great black banner flies above the gate,
Her Dark Majesty’s personal rune ablaze.
The portal is unguarded; Her Dark Majesty
relies on fear alone as a sentry. Anyone who
surmounts the wall, however, will encounter Her
Majesty’s sentries (LEVEL THREE, AREA 18).
2. COURTYARD. The bare courtyard beyond the
portal, however, is not unguarded. Tall, inhu-
man figures stand at attention in the courtyard,
forming ranks between the main gate and the
DF34 John Turcotte
front entry to the citadel (AREA 14). Thirty-six
members of the Black Watch (HP: 16 (×4), 15
(×2), 14 (×3), 13 (×10), 12 (×4), 11 (×5), 10
(×5), 9 (×3), 8) await their majesty’s orders. The
unit’s captain (HP: 38) stands in the front rank,
flanked by two lieutenants (HP: 19). The Black
Watch members are typically armed (q.v.); the
captain wields Smerte [“Pain”] a +2 bastard
sword/+4 versus chaotic good opponents.
On a natural “to hit” roll of 20, this weapon
inflicts double damage (triple damage against
CG-aligned foes). Each of the lieutenants wields
+2 footman’s maces. This is the Mistress’s honor
guard; the plumes of all are violet in color and
the officers’ shields bear her device.
The Watch members will take no action unless
molested; PCs may walk right past them. If any
offensive action is taken, they will seek to slay
the trespassers and will unrelentingly pursue
them throughout the citadel and the city.
In the very center of the courtyard is an odd
formation of the glowing stone. Some 12’ in
diameter at its base, it appears as a squat pillar,
rising only 5’ before being jaggedly broken. The
remains of enigmatic runes can be found, but
they have all been subsequently scored and are
now illegible. The formation radiates magic, but
its purpose cannot be divined.
members attempting access here should mind
those murder holes (see LEVEL TWO, AREA
13)! If the door into AREA 4 is forced, the Black
Watch members beyond will attempt to repel
any intruders and will pursue fleeing trespassers
throughout the city.
5. STABLES. This area is only used when some fiend-
ish guest comes astride a steed. It is manned by
a sole spined devil (HP: 19), the groom, and two
lemures (HP: 16, 11). The groom is always con-
cealed under an illusion to appear as a hunched
ape-like figure with the head of a cuttlefish. He
has no treasure. The room and stalls are empty
save for a large object covered in black cloth.
Beneath is Her Majesty’s sleigh; a marvel con-
structed of lacquered black wood with brass
details and bearing silver-edged runners. When
pulled, the sleigh can magically pass over snow,
ice and any solid terrain (GPV: 20,000; XPV:
8,000) at a rate of up to 24”. When the Mistress
travels to the City of Dis, her sleigh is drawn by
a dozen hellhounds.
Nine sets of skis hang in an orderly row, one set
are skis of speed, allowing a wearer to travel at
a rate of 15” over snow cover (and 36” down-
hill) (GPV: 5,000; XPV: 1,000).

3. GUARD HOUSE. These bare chambers feature

archers’ slits. In each chamber, 6 light cross-
bows hang on the walls, and 4 sealed barrels
are stacked, each holding 100 oiled bolts (25 in
each barrel are silver-tipped). A ladder leads up
to the Gate House above (LEVEL TWO, AREAS
12 and 13).

4. BARRACKS. Each of these areas holds 12 Black

Watch members, armed equally with halberds
and lochaber axes. Like their brethren in AREA
2, they will take no action unless molested. The
Northwesternmost barracks has a well-hidden
secret door, only 3’ tall, that recesses and slides
to the side.

4a. LESSER GATE. The portcullis here is closed and

can only be raised with a successful OPEN
GATES roll. The ceiling of the hall beyond is
pierced by murder holes, and the iron-banded
door beyond is locked and barred. The winch
to raise the portcullis is in the barracks imme-
diately adjacent. Unlike previous areas, party

7
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
6. KENNELS. Her Majesty’s dozen hellhounds are
kenneled here (HD: 6 (×6), 5 (×2), 4 (×4): HP:
25 (×3), 23, 22 (×3), 20 (×3), 19, 15). Any
combat will alert the Kennelmaster in AREA 6a.
6a. KENNELMASTER’S QUARTERS. The Kennelmas-
ter quarters in this chamber, a cruel bearded
devil (HP: 27) who prefers to appear as a gaunt
and elongated giant, some 8½’ tall, entirely
covered with thick black bristles and with the
head of a spider. He bears a barbed whip that
inflicts 2–8 points of damage on a successful hit.
If he chooses, he may use it to entangle a sin-
gle opponent. To do so, he must roll at least 2
above his needed “to hit” roll. If successful, the
victim suffers only 1–4 hit points of damage, but
is unable to use his arms until freed by others or
until a successful OPEN DOORS roll is made.
Once an opponent is entangled, the devil will
attack with his claw/claw/beard routine. He
keeps three hellhound pups in his quarters.
7. HER MAJESTY’S GARDEN. Severely pruned
rosebushes, ghostly pale in color, grow in orderly
rows of frost-covered trellises. Smaller cold-lov-
ing blooms, blood red and lavender, grow at the
base of each bush. The flowers all smell of rotten
flesh and offal. In the very center of the garden
are two smallish (7’) trees, one with silver bark
and glittering black leaves which bears clusters
of scarlet berries. The other has white bark and
velvety red leaves laden with golden pear-like
fruit. An angry red squirrel (AC: 5; HP: 2) with
beetle-black eyes will scold those who disturb
the fruit.
The berries are bitter-tasting and require any PC
eating them to save versus poison. On a suc-
cessful saving throw, 1 hit point of damage is
suffered but infravision 60’ is gained for twelve
turns. On a failed save, 1–8 hit points of dam-
age are suffered and the PC’s normal vision is
halved for an equal length of time due to vertigo
and tunnel vision. Eating additional berries in
any given day incrementally causes an addi-
tional -1 penalty on the saving throw, adds 1
hit point of damage taken, and halves the dura-
tion of the infravision. The berries will keep for a
week in cold weather.
The fruit’s flesh is blood-red and deadly toxic.
Those eating must save or die. There is enough
juice in three fruits to make a potion of poison.
The tree bears 20 fruits.
8
Buried six feet under the earth between the trees
is a locked treasure chest containing: 4,300 sp,
3,200 gp, a black opal worth 1,250 gp, a sil-
ver torc set with garnets (worth 2,500 gp), a
gold shield-shaped amulet set with an amethyst
(worth 3,200 gp), a drinking horn encrusted
with fancy stones seemingly worth 750 gp (but
which is magic, and radiates a permanent neu-
tralize poison on any liquid poured within; XPV:
500; GPV: 1,750), a scroll of protection from
elementals and a suit of +4 splint mail.
8. GARDENER. The gardener, a red abishai devil
(HP: 16) dwells here. It appears as a tortoise-like
humanoid with an impressive moustache. It has
no treasure.
9. PORTAL. This is a “back door,” of sorts, into
the dungeon below the citadel. It is locked and
magically trapped by a glyph of warding. The
glyph inflicts a horrific wasting disease upon a
trespasser (fatal if the save is failed, the victim
loses 1 point of Constitution and Charisma every
hour. The PC dies if either attribute reaches less
than 3). A cure disease will end the affliction
and return lost points of the former attribute, but
not the latter.
10. GARDENS OF DARK MEDITATION. Each of these
areas contains wrought iron (and thoroughly
uncomfortable) benches and small ornamental
trees bearing faintly luminous berries (which are
poisonous to eat: save or make all rolls at -2
penalty for 2–8 hours due to nausea and dizzi-
ness). Frost-encrusted ivy covers the walls here
and tiny soot-black thrush-like birds dart amidst
the leaves. Their songs are not unlovely.
11. FEARSOME PORTALS. Each of these silver-plated
doors bears the image of a stern and cold
queen; her face wreathed with wicked runes
and cavorting devils. Each also bears a black
wrought iron pull-ring. Immediately above
the entrance, a bas-relief carving depicts van-
quished knights and deposed nobles struggling
beneath a bronze tablet which bears the inscrip-
tion, “Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance
of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are
avenged.” These doors radiate magic and have
been worked with powerful dweomers. Should
any good-aligned creature so much as touch
the pull-rings, they must immediately save versus
spells or suffer a terrible fate, based upon their
ethos:
DF34 John Turcotte
LAWFUL GOOD: The victim is teleported (with-
out error) into a dungeon cell (DUNGEON
AREA 15b) and the ogre mage jailor from DUN-
GEON AREA 14 is likewise teleported into the
victim’s place! Note that the jailor is likely to be
surprised by the swap, but the victim’s erstwhile
comrades may believe that a polymorph has
taken place.
CHAOTIC GOOD: The victim is polymorphed
(saving throw applies) into a salmon.
NEUTRAL GOOD: The victim is struck deaf,
dumb and blind. The effect is permanent until
dispelled — requiring a successful dispel magic
against an 18th level caster, or three successive
remove curse spells. Cure deafness and blind-
ness will function normally.
The portals open normally and easily, however
if any person enters the citadel proper through
these doors without an invitation, they are sub-
ject to a dispel magic spell cast at the 18th level
of experience upon breaking the plane of the
threshold.
9
12. SECONDARY PORTALS. A pair of dead trees
stand sentry on either side of the short passage
leading to these doors, their withered branches
intertwining to form a high-roofed tunnel of sorts.
Weird garlands of iron wire, hooks, teeth and
pins hang on the trees, numerous small bones
dangling from the hooks and barbs. Beyond,
the heavy doors are constructed of bronze and
depict fiendish faces leering from wreaths of
bas-relief flowers. A flickering red candle is set
into a small recess wall beside each portal. The
doors radiate fear (as the spell) in a 10’ radius,
but are not locked.
13. HALL OF WOE. The doors open into a stygian
passage. All lights are extinguished within the
hallway, even continual light spells and the radi-
ance shed by magic swords are reduced to small
pinpoints of light. Halfway through the hall, illu-
mination appears in the form of a hunched skel-
etal figure which holds a three-pronged candela-
bra aloft. In a croaking voice that seems to rise
from the floor below the party’s feet, it inquires
as to the heroes’ business.
The figure and the impenetrable darkness are
illusions. A blue abishai devil (HP: 19) is behind
the façade, serving as a host to invited visitors.
The devil will ask the business of any who enter
and will teleport to Sadatella (LEVEL ONE,
AREA 15), taking 11–30 rounds to find her, if
any answers cause concern. Otherwise, she will
escort those with believable stories (Hell being
a weird place) to the banquet hall (LEVEL ONE,
AREA 21).
14. THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE HALL. This vast hall
is well-lit. Numerous baroque iron lanterns are
suspended from the ceiling; their faces worked
so that the light projects wicked runes and sym-
bols onto the floor and walls. The floor is made
of glossy black stone and the walls of the same
pale corpse-stone as the city walls. Four pillars
support the ceiling, each worked to depict naked
and tormented souls piled atop one another.
The pillars each glow with a faint leprous yel-
low-green. The ceiling is worked with a vast and
intricate mural of evil and wickedness, depicting
an arch-fiend bestowing boons in exchange for
souls. The smell of brimstone is strong and the
sense of evil pervasive.
Towering white-blue flames erupt from an enor-
mous fire pit in the center of the hall. They gen-
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
erate cold not heat. The hall contains seven tall
(8’) domed cages made of black barbed wire.
Unpleasantly large pallid maggot-like things
churn and twist within each. An inhuman and
incessant howling fills the room. Each cage holds
three larvae, the souls of those who displeased
Her Dark Majesty in life, now imprisoned here.
The ruckus from AREA 15 is audible from here
above their clamor.
15. PAGEANT HALL. A deafening chorus of off-kilter
piping, wailing and crashing comes from this
room. The chamber has a polished black-and-
white checkerboard pattern and the pallid walls
are nearly covered by long black banners. It is
well-lit by numerous blazing torches.
Two spined devils (HP: 18, 17), concealed
by an illusion to appear as tall and lean lion-
headed figures in fantastic and baroque dress,
are marching 12 nupperibo (HP: 8, 7 (×2), 6, 5
(×2), 4 (×2), 3, 1 (×3)) up and down the length
of the room. The nupperibo are (poorly) play-
ing all manner of pipes, horns, bells and drums.
Sadatella, her Lady’s handmaid, oversees the
procession from the far end of the room.
Sadatella is a unique lesser devil (AC: 3; MV:
15” HD: 5+5; HP: 30; #ATT: 1; DM: 1–6; SA:
poison; MR: 40%; AL: LE; XPV: 1,067); a ser-
vant to Lilis, the consort of Dispater. She has
been dispatched to serve Her Dark Majesty;
no mean assignment for Her Majesty is a rising
favorite of that dread lord. Sadatella will seek to
avoid combat if possible, but can be a daunting
opponent if engaged.
In addition to the standard powers of a devil,
Sadatella may use the following spell-like abil-
ities at will, one at a time: affect normal fires,
command and message. Once per day she may
cast dispel magic and stinking cloud. Her glare
can cause fear (as the spell). She may close for
a “bite” attack. Those failing to save versus poi-
son perish. Sadatella can be struck by normal
weapons.
Sadatella has a shapely form, albeit with sharp
cloven hooves and light red skin. She is bald,
however, and her face is horrifying; corpse-pale
in color and bearing a beard of living asps. She
carries a staff of winter with 14 charges (see
APPENDIX C) and wears an ermine fur cape
(2,300 GPV) over her ornate armor. She also
10
carries a ring of keys (to LEVEL TWO, AREA
6, 10, LEVEL THREE, AREAS 8–9, and LEVEL
FOUR, AREA 8).
Because of the cacophony, the party is likely to
surprise (5 in 6) the chamber’s inhabitants. If she
realizes the party’s intent (and she will address
any visitors to the fortress), Sadatella will at first
attempt to have the intruders captured or slain. If
her own life seems in danger at all, she will tele-
port across the hall to AREA 18 and order the
Black Watch members therein to kill the trespass-
ers. She will then flee to find Kirsi (Her Majesty’s
second in command), locating her within 9–14
rounds. At that point, the proverbial jig is up
as Kirsi’s first order of business shall be to com-
mand all the Black Watch members in AREAS 2
and 4 to converge into the citadel. What hap-
pens precisely afterwards is up to the discretion
of the DM.
16. SITTING ROOM. Well-made dark wood furniture
has been tastefully arranged atop a huge crim-
son carpet. Numerous shelves contain empty
crystal decanters and goblets (GPV: 1d20×10
each, but all are cumbersome and fragile. A vio-
let-lensed lantern is suspended on a chain from
the ceiling; and it will magically light upon com-
mand (GPV: 600).
17. STORE. This room stores all manner of chairs,
benches and furniture, as well as candles,
torches, banners and devices of various hellish
nobles (to be hung in the rare event of visits).
Perusing through the collection is a frightening
experience.
18. SEAT OF TERROR. The iron portal providing entry
is faced with black stone polished to a mirror-like
smoothness. The PCs’ reflections, though, are
cadaverous and gruesome (an illusionary effect).
The frigid (35º) room beyond is lit only by a dim
blue-green illumination that plays across the ceil-
ing like the Northern Lights. It is difficult to make
any details out. The polished floor reflects the
lights and despite the emptiness of the chamber,
footsteps and other sounds fall flat.
A fantastic and fearsome pair of thrones sit atop
a low dais at the far end of the chamber. They
are made of a black glass-like substance, horrif-
ically formed to represent twisted human figures
painfully bent and contorted to form approxima-
tions of chairs.
DF34 John Turcotte
A pair of special Black Watch Captains flank the
thrones (AC: -4; HP: 48 ea.), outfitted with +3
full plate armor, +1 large shields, and each is
armed with a +3 footman’s mace. Their shields
are emblazoned with Her Dark Majesty’s per-
sonal rune. The plumes on their helmets are a
rusty orange. Once per day, the creatures can
cause the rune to flare with evil magic, unleash-
ing a curse spell at the 18th level of experience.
They will not allow anyone other than Her Dark
Majesty or her bridegroom to set foot on the
dais.
Kneeling beside the left throne is a crystal-
line statue of a woman. If the thrones are
approached, it will stand. It is a decanter golem
(see NEW MONSTERS) filled with holy water; a
last-ditch defense against infernal machinations.
Unless attacked, it will attack only by the com-
mand of Her Dark Majesty, Kirsi or Sadetella.
Those who have encountered Her Majesty’s
thrones at Black Towen should know better; any-
one presumptuous to sit on either throne is sum-
marily disintegrated (save versus spells). If they
survive the experience, a protection from good
spell comes into effect as long as they remain
seated and a lightning mephit (HP: 17; NEW
MONSTERS) is summoned. It kneels before the
throne and will obey all orders. The inhabitants
of AREA 19 march out and flank the thrones,
likewise ready to obey the orders of anyone
seated there.
19. GUARDROOM. Three monster zombies (AC: 2;
HP: 31, 30, 26) wearing plate mail and bearing
shields and morning stars are kept here, a gift
from a former minion. Ghastly in appearance,
they have the bodies of bugbears and the heads
of emaciated horses sewn on. Unlike the Black
Watch members the party may have encountered
throughout the complex, the zombies will attack
if the doors are opened. With them is a giant
zombie boar; this undead elothere (AC: 8; MV:
6”: HD: 9; HP: 41; DM: 4–24; SD: all immuni-
ties of zombies; XPV: 1,692) turns as a wight
and follows the monster zombies in all acts.
20. PRIVATE AUDIENCE CHAMBER. The walls, floor
and ceiling of this empty room are of polished
back stone. Small snowflakes drift down from
the ceiling, but the snow does not accumulate
(an illusory effect).
11
21. BANQUET HALL. This fantastic chamber is well-
lit. It is dominated by a long table set with rich
linens and supporting a feast of sumptuous
treats. Nearly two dozen tall chairs and places
have been set. Bowls, plates, cups and horns
overfill with delicacies and fare. Five tall gilded
candelabra line the length of the table and the
walls boast massive painted-glass windows. A
vast dome overhead is similarly paned with intri-
cately-detailed glass, and a balcony area a floor
above looks down upon the grand banquet hall.
A tall elegant woman in a long pale yellow
dress waits just inside the door; her red-gold hair
piled high and set with bejeweled pins. Three
servants stand at attention, covered plates held
at their shoulders. The hostess will invite the PCs
to dine, seemingly assuming that they must be
guests of Her Dark Majesty. She assures them
that any desired meal or drink can be prepared
at their desire, and that the Lady will surely join
them soon.
All of this is, of course, an illusion. In fact, the
table is made of slate and is loaded with a hor-
rid and ghastly collection of flesh and entrails,
rotten meat, poisonous fungi and less pleasant
things. The seats are tombstones and the table
is in fact illuminated by a Hand of Glory. Any-
one willingly partaking of this grisly feast is poi-
soned (no save), losing 1–4 points of damage
per round until death (or neutralize poison is
applied). In addition, anyone who partakes and
survives will contract a severe (1–6) or terminal
(7–8) intestinal parasitic infestation (DMG, p.
14).
The hostess will do whatever it takes, including
suggestion, to persuade the party to rest and
refresh. If the ruse is discovered, or the illusion
dispelled, both she and the servants will attack.
The hostess is a blue abishai devil (HP: 18).
With her are three thouls (HP: 14, 11, 10; see
APPENDIX B: NEW MONSTERS). If combat is
joined, there in a 1 in 6 chance per round that
the trapdoor in the floor to DUNGEON LEVEL
AREA 9 will open and one thoul from that cham-
ber will clamber up through each round thereaf-
ter to join the fight! The trapdoor is concealed
by the illusion but is obvious if the dweomer is
dispelled.
The abishai wears a gold bracelet fashioned to
represent a coiled lizard or newt with garnets for
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
eyes (370 GPV). If the battle turns against her,
she will teleport to LEVEL TWO AREA 9 to alert
the “cooks” before alerting Sadatella (taking
11–30 rounds thereafter to find her).
A dumb-waiter of sorts is in the NW corner of
the room. A small door opens into a 5’ × 5’ shaft
that extends from the Dungeon Level up to Level
Two. A cart is lifted and lowered between the
levels by a trio of lemures who obey anyone’s
commands. Unless the PCs have used/disturbed
the dumb-waiter, when this room in entered, roll
1d6: 1–2: the lift is at the DUNGEON LEVEL
AREA 17; 3–4: on LEVEL ONE; 5–6: on LEVEL
TWO, AREA 15.
22. TEMPLE OF DREAD DISPATER. The stench of
brimstone is nearly overpowering here. When
first entered, all creatures not native to Hell must
save versus breath weapon or be affected as
if by a stinking cloud spell. The vaulted ceiling
of this massive chamber is some 25’ overhead.
A huge chandelier constructed of intertwined
bones descends from the peak, bearing thirteen
candles, each as thick as a man’s arm. Four iron-
bound portals line the walls and stairs sweep up
to a balcony area above. Thirteen rows of stone
pews face a frightful sanctuary at the chapel’s
far end. An altar of slate gray stone shot through
with red veins seems to crouch beneath a large
bas-relief face on the wall. The face is diabolic;
its mouth agape as if to curse or moan. Thick
greasy smoke emanates from between its lips
and from its nose. Tapestries descend from the
ceiling all the way to the floor, each depicting
stomach-churning atrocities in heartrending
detail. A great bell fashioned of back iron hangs
from a long chain to the left of the altar; descend-
ing to within 6’ of the floor. Dark-robed figures
kneel before the altar and devilish countenance.
Hrafn, Her Dark Majesty’s hand-selected high
priest, a venerable 9th level human cloistered
cleric (see “The Cloistered Cleric,” by Len
Lakofka, Dragon Magazine #68, Dec. 1982)
(AC: 10; HP: 19; S: 5; I: 14; W: 17; D: 8; C:
7; CH: 16; AL: LE; XVP: 1,528)) holds services
here. He is unarmed and unarmored and wears
a slate gray vestment adorned with unholy sym-
bols. He is a plague-carrier; any who engage
him in close combat must save versus breath
weapon at the conclusion of combat or contract
a respiratory disease.
12
He has memorized the following spells:
first level: cause fear, cause light wounds,
protection from good, sanctuary
second level: augury, ceremony (dedication),
chant
third level: ceremony (special vows), dispel
magic, enthrall, prayer
fourth level: minor ward, poison, scroll,
tongues
fifth level: commune, dispel good, true seeing
I f not surprised, Hrafn will attempt to cast minor
ward while his minions engage any interlopers.
Hrafn is served by a pair of huecuvas, pres-
ently polymorphed into human form (HP: 14,
8). Moreover, if the party approaches within
20’ of the great face, a hellhound (hit dice and
hit points determined randomly) will materialize
and clamber forth from the face’s gaping mouth
each round that the sanctuary is violated.
The gate may only be severed if the face is
destroyed. It may be damaged by magical blunt
weapons, although it is considered AC 0 and
has 75 hit points against such attacks. Bladed
weapons will inflict no damage against the face,
although such weapons must themselves save
versus crushing blow if used. The face takes
no damage, per se, from spells, but must save
against the appropriate attack form (fireball,
etc) or be destroyed. It saves as hard stone +3.
Anointing the face with holy water inflicts 2–8
points of damage against it, and renders it inca-
pable of summoning hellhounds (or anything
else) for one full turn.
A successful dispel magic spell cast against a
12th level caster makes the face powerless for
24 hours. A continual light spell likewise renders
a face powerless until the spell is removed. A
dispel evil spell permanently severs the gate.
The great bell is struck thirteen times at midnight
and again at dawn. Each cycle brings more and
more of the plane of Dis back into the Prime
Material. Striking the bell at any other time has
no effect, although it will alert Kirsi, at least, that
something is awry. The large black iron mallet
for the bell lies upon the altar (it can be used
in combat as a +1 morning star, although it
weighs 250 GP for encumbrance purposes).
Both the bell and mallet radiate evil. If the bell is
destroyed, the swap between Hell and the Prime
DF34 John Turcotte
Material ceases and, if the city is in Dis, upon
the next dawn it returns to the Prime Material to
stay (stranding all diabolical inhabitants in Hell
when as it leaves). The bell has 50 hit points, is
considered AC 3 and takes but 1 hp per attack
from edged, stabbing or thrusting weapons of
any kind. If the bell is damaged, and the dia-
bolic face has not been destroyed, negated or
sealed, 13 nupperibos are vomited forth each
and every round that the bell is harmed, sum-
moned for one purpose: to kill every living thing
in the room!
23. DARK REFLECTORY. The walls, floor and ceiling are
constructed with a dull gray stone that seems to
swallow any light. Any illumination source (even
light and continual light) brought into the room
gives off only one-quarter the normal light. The
chamber reeks of excrement and filth. All who
enter must save versus breath weapon (at +2)
or be sick to their stomach; unable to proceed.
A small closet to the north contains silken slate
gray robes. They are cold to the touch, almost
painfully so. They confer no benefit if worn.
In the exact center of the south wall is a huge
13
(13’ diameter) mirror of smoky glass set in a
frame of polished brass. Heroes will do well to
leave it alone, for it serves as a crystal ball fixed
so as to allow communication with the dread
court of Dispater himself! If anyone focuses their
gaze upon the pane and concentrates, then
the “smoke” will clear and the grand infernal
court of Dis will come into view. There is a 50%
chance that Dispater will be present and, if so,
he will attempt to charm any viewers (which,
truly, is the least of their problems).
Any good-aligned viewer, however, who uses the
magic mirror and who does not encounter Dis-
pater, will note a dark hooded figure reflected in
the mirror – immediately behind them! If faced,
this minor death (AC: -4; MV: Infinite; HD: 8;
HP: 33; #ATT: 1; DM: 2–16; SA: Always strikes
first, never misses; SD: Immune to mind-affect-
ing spells, immune to cold, fire and electricity;
XPV: 2,390) will immediately seek to destroy
the viewer! The ‘death is invisible to those who
did not gaze into the mirror, although engag-
ing it will not summon other deaths (q.v., deck
of many things). Anointing the mirror with holy
water breaks any connection and renders it
inoperable for 7 days.
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
24. LIBRARY. Numerous candles flicker to life if
any door into this chamber is opened. Floor-to-
ceiling bookshelves, crammed with tomes and
scrolls, cover the walls. Three skeletons stand
at attention. They will not attack unless they are
themselves attacked (HP: 7 (×2), 3). They have,
however, been imbued with a permanent spi-
der climb spell, allowing them to clamber up the
towering shelves and will unerringly locate any
work in the collection, obeying orders from any
person.
The books and scrolls cover all manner of eru-
dite subjects, written in an array of tongues, with
a concentration on the arcane, macabre and the
ghoulish. The entire collection is worth a king’s
ransom to morbid scholars, but is extremely
cumbersome. Any given piece may be worth
2d4×100 GPV (a few may be worth far more) to
the right collector, but will constitute a minimum
150 GP in encumbrance.
25. READING ROOM. As with the library, candles
will flicker into existence upon the door being
opened. This room contains several small slate-
topped reading tables. If anything is left on a
table unattended for more than two turns, one of
the skeletons from AREA 24 will enter to either
put it back or otherwise dispose of it.
A crystal decanter of water and six leaded
glasses are suspended in mid-air; borne by a
permanent unseen servant.
LEVEL TWO
1. NEXUS. This room is dimly lit by a pale blue-
green heatless flames that flicker and twist
around the four pillars. There are eight portals;
those to the north and south are double doors.
2. AVIARY. This stinking chamber is den to three
keres devils (HP: 30, 28, 27), who await their
Mistress’s command. They do not have leave to
hunt and slaughter as they might wish, and will
seek at first to bluntly expel anyone who enters.
The tall windows are always open. The monsters
have no treasure.
3. LAVATORY. This room contains a massive brass
claw-footed tub and sink and nothing else.
4. WAR ROOM. A pair of Heartless Ones armed
with longswords stand guard immediately out-
14
side the door (HP: 16, 14). The large room
beyond is dominated by a large shallow caul-
dron of black iron in the southern portion of the
chamber filled with luminous liquid, the only light
source in the room. An ornate chair constructed
of silver sits behind the cauldron; a tall striking
woman clad in white is seated, peering into the
glow. She is flanked by a pair of hulking figures
in black armor, a soot-gray wolf lies at her feet
and a red-haired woman of heart-aching beauty
kneels beside her.
Her Dark Majesty (HP: 49; see APPENDIX A) is
guarded by a pair of monster zombies, in fact
headless animated ogres wearing black plate
mail and armed with great iron maces (AC: 2:
HP: 33, 20). Kirsi (HP: 39), is an enrinyes and
Her Majesty’s right hand. She is armed with her
terrible dagger and a net of entrapment. She
will immediately take action to defend her mis-
tress. Her precise acts will depend on those of
the party; she will be fearful of teleporting to
obtain aid and leaving her mistress behind. Kirsi
herself wears a platinum diadem set with three
perfectly matched diamonds (11,000 GPV) and
bears keys to LEVEL TWO, AREA 6 and LEVEL
FOUR, AREA 8. The wolf is a special form of
Heartless One (HP: 9).
Her Dark Majesty will not leave her chair. If the
illusion concealing her true form is dispelled, it
will be clear that she is quite unable to move
or rise on her own (indeed her monstrous body-
guards carry her about in the silver chair, which
is outfitted with specific handles for just that pur-
pose). The idea that she could be assailed in
her fortress is unthinkable; she will not herself
retreat, nor will she hesitate to unleash death
upon any interlopers.
The scrying pool is presently being used to spy
upon the Clan’s forces. If the liquid is touched,
the dweomer is dispelled. The room contains vast
and detailed maps of the Land of Song, as well
as the kingdoms to the south. Some have been
spread out on the floor with ivory figures repre-
senting units. The sheer size of the black host
sweeping down towards Kerava, if accurate, is
daunting. Further, it is clear that she plans cam-
paigns beyond the Land of Song.
THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH: If reduced to sin-
gle digit hit points, Her Dark Majesty will use the
power of her token of Dispater, summoning her
DF34 John Turcotte
fearful bridegroom, Kuu Humastaas (HP: 41).
The Bridegroom is a horned devil; a greater
fiend and a member of Dispater’s feared “Iron
Guard.” He spends his time in the horrible court
of Dis; only rarely visiting the Ghost City and his
formidable bride. Kuu bears a barbed whip in
combat that inflicts 1–4 hit points of damage on
a successful strike. Any victim struck must save
versus spells or be stunned for an equal number
of rounds.
If the Bridegroom is summoned, he will teleport
to her location the very next round. His actions
will depend upon the circumstances he finds, but
it is unlikely that he will singly challenge invad-
ers who have penetrated the Forsaken Citadel
and defeated his gruesome spouse. Under those
circumstances, he will seek to spirit her away to
the Iron City via teleportation. Within six hours,
however, he will return with a force of devils!
5. BALCONIES. These balconies overlook the court-
yards of the fortress. Each set of double doors is
protected by a magic mouth triggered if anyone
flies or otherwise accesses the balcony from out-
side, saying, “Not without leave from the Lady,
you shall not!” In addition, anyone not invited
who pulls on the portals’ rings from the outside
triggers a wizard lock (cast at 18th level) and
summons the keres devils from LEVEL TWO,
AREA 2.
6. PRIVATE LIBRARY. The door to this chamber is
locked (Kirsi and Sadatella bear the key) and
protected by a glyph of warding (paralysis). If
this door is bypassed (as by a passwall, etc.) or
forced, an insect swarm of flesh-eating beetles is
summoned, lasting for 18 rounds. Beyond, the
unlit room is shockingly cold (0º). Built-in shelves
are filled with moldering tomes and scroll-tubes.
Two invisible zombies (HP: 14, 12) are stationed
in the library to assist Her Dark Majesty. Each
has been deliberately seeded with a colony of
brown mold. They will attack any who force their
way in or who pick the lock. Normally they will
obey any reasonable orders. Note that a cleric’s
ability to turn or destroy these monsters has no
effect whatsoever on the mold.
There are hundreds of tomes collected here; an
exhaustive review would take weeks. Any given
tome is worth 4d4×500 GPV. Virtually all of
the tomes have to do with abhorrent subjects,
15
although a dedicated search can uncover the
following:
a. A scroll containing a treatise that describes
the recipe for potions of undead control
(GPV: 7,500);
b. A traveling spellbook containing the following
spells: charm person, detect invisibility, dispel
magic, ESP, protection from normal missiles,
unseen servant. This book is protected by an
explosive runes spell cast at 18th level;
c. A magic-user scroll containing Leomund’s
secret chest;
d. A scroll of protection from demons. If opened
by anyone of Chaotic Good alignment, dust
from inside the scroll-case coalesces into a
spectre (HP: 37);
e. A tome that details the manufacture of a
Libram of Ineffable Damnation (GPV:
25,000). This item is cursed. Anyone who
removes it from the library will be slowly, but
inexorably followed by a set of bloody foot-
prints moving at the rate of 3”. The invisible
malignant force cannot be affected by any
weapon and ignores all barriers, even capa-
ble of travel through the planes. If the force
ever catches up to the book’s possessor, it will
strangle him or her, striking without error and
inflicting 1–4 points of damage per round
until the possessor is dead. Protection from
evil will keep the horror at arms’ length, as
will a magic circle, but only for the duration
of the spell. A dispel evil, wish or alter real-
ity will do away with this curse. Giving the
book away will not save one from the invisi-
ble assailant, although selling it will (and the
horror will begin to stalk the purchaser . . .)
The secret door is well-hidden and, even if
found, a particular brass-bound tome must be
moved, causing a 3’ × 6’ section of bookcase to
slide silently forward and then aside, revealing
a locked bronze portal beyond (both Sadatella
and Kirsi bear keys). The lock is trapped with
a horrific poison needle trap: save or suffer 2
points of damage per round until death as the
victim’s internal organs liquefy.
7. SECRET ROOM. This room is accessed only by a
narrow passage kept in a permanent gloom by
three evenly spaced continual darkness spells.
Those trying to pass through will be stopped by
an iron door without a lock or pull-ring. The door
will open only to a secret phrase known only to
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
Her Dark Majesty and Kirsi. It can be battered
down (AC: 0; HP: 50; +1 or better weapons to
hit, only 1 hit point of damage from any edged
or thrusting weapon attacks) or torn from its
frame (necessitating an OPEN GATES roll). But
it is not without its own defenses. The door can
speak in a sonorous voice, it will laugh off knock
spells, and it can do the following:
a. It can electrify itself, replicating the effect of
a shocking grasp spell (cast at 9th level) if
touched. It can do so twice per day.
b. It can manifest a mouth and shoot out a
long 12’ sticky tongue and attempt to grab
a weapon or item (requiring a successful “to
hit” roll against the PC holding said item as an
8 HD monster). Upon a successful strike, the
party member must save vs. petrification (DEX
modifiers applied) or have the item ripped
away. The door will whisk the item behind it,
into ROOM 7. The tongue is AC 4 and can
be severed if it suffers 8 hit points of damage.
c. It can utter a hideous scream that functions as
a fear spell. It can do this once per day.
d. It can spit out iron bolts at assailants, up to
two a round, attacking as an 8HD monster
and inflicting 1–2 points of damage on a suc-
cessful strike. For game purposes, it has an
unlimited number of bolts.
The frigid, shadowy room beyond contains a
pair of narrow slate-topped tables. The eastern
wall is covered with arcane glyphs and magic
circles that seem to eerily shift when not viewed
directly. A long shelf contains beakers, flasks,
jars and bowls, together with some iron tools
of unknown but surely despicable purpose. If
examined, one of the tables contains mana-
cles, appearing as if intended to hold a subject
down spread-eagled upon it. The flasks and
jars contain a bewildering array of chemicals,
herbs, salves and less pleasant things. Promi-
nent within the collection are giant moth glands
and wyvern venom (insinuative poison Type D,
13 applications). A magic-user scroll with the
following spells: charm monster, charm person,
hold person, slow and wizard lock (all at 18th
level of experience) is kept upon the table in
a silver scroll case capped with (human) bone
(GPV: 195) (a keen inspection reveals the scroll
to have been inscribed on human skin as well).
When Säde (LEVEL 4 AREA 7) reaches maturity,
it is Her Dark Majesty’s design to swap bodies
16
with the maiden, leaving the poor thing in her
ruined remains. This room is intended for that
purpose.
8. SEAT OF (DIS)HONOR. This balcony overlooks
the Grand Banquet (LEVEL ONE, AREA 21).
9. ABBATOIR. The air is thick with the stench of
blood and rot. This area serves as the “kitchen”
for the citadel. It is an awful place overseen by
a squat, wizened crocodilian creature wearing
a thick leather apron and armed with a cleaver.
This is an illusionary appearance maintained by
the bearded devil (HP: 26) that has been given
charge of the place. It is served by two spined
devils (HP: 15, 11) and oversees four zombies
(HP: 11, 8, 6, 4). The DM is free to elaborate;
suffice it is to say that the larders are regrettably
stocked and ovens lamentably full. The creatures
here have no treasure.
A dumb-waiter of sorts is in the SW corner of the
room (see LEVEL ONE, AREA 21).
10. STORES. The door is locked (Sadatella bears the
key). Within are the stores for the citadel.
11. WATCHTOWERS. Two Black Watch members
(HP: 1d12 + 6 ea.) are stationed in each watch-
tower. There are six heavy crossbows kept in
each area, together with a barrel of 100 bolts
and a smaller collection of 24 silver-tipped bolts.
These Black Watch members are proficient with
crossbows. They are not otherwise armed and
therefore can only engage in weaponless hand-
to-hand combat (height: 7’; weight: 650 gp;
Strength: 12).
12. GUARDHOUSE. This area is not normally
manned. It contains 18 large sealed casks of
oil (each containing 16 flasks’ worth of oil) and
three large cauldrons (for boiling said oil). Lad-
ders leader up to LEVEL THREE AREA 12).
13. GUARDHOUSE. This guardhouse is manned and
all three cauldrons are full. Three spined devils
(HP: 14 (×2), 12) haunt this area. They can use
the arrow slits to fire their spines, but prefer to
wait to see if a visiting party attempts the lesser
gate (LEVEL ONE AREA 4a). No invited party
uses that entrance. If a party enters the hall
below, the spined devils will not hesitate to pour
a cauldron of oil down upon the party and then
set them ablaze with their spines! Such a confla-
DF34 John Turcotte
gration completely fills AREA 4a with flames and
will inflict 5–30 points of damage the first round,
3–18 the second, 1–6 on the third and then burn
out. A victim’s possessions must also make item
saving throws against normal fire. The devils
have no treasure.
LEVEL THREE
1. UPPER LANDING. This area is lit by a chande-
lier. The bare stone is covered by rich carpets.
2. PRIVATE DINING AREA. The room is filled with
shrouded shapes: a long table and innumera-
ble chairs all covered with slate-gray cloth. If
examined, the table’s granite surface is pocked,
scratched and stained. Who can say what hor-
rendous feats have taken place here? Three
zombies (HP: 12, 9, 8) stand at attention, each
under the benefit of an illusion making them
appear to be tall and slender well-dressed
man-servants. They will obey the commands of
anyone seated at the table and will only attack
to defend themselves.
3. GUARDS OF THE UPPER WALLS. Each of these
rooms contains seven skeletons, each wearing
copper breastplates and horned helms and bear-
ing short swords. Licks of electricity play about
and between them and crackling, popping
sounds accompany their movements. These are
shocking bones, creations of Her Dark Majesty,
and the guards of the upper walls (AC: 4; MV:
9”; HD: 2; HP: special; #ATT: 1; DM: 1–8 + spe-
cial; SA: electrical attack; SD: immune to electri-
cal attacks and cold, half-damage from edged
weapons; XPV: 120 each). These monsters turn
as shadows. On a successful strike, they trigger
a form of shocking grasp, conducting it through
their weapon, thus inflicting normal damage for
the sword plus 18 hit points of electrical dam-
age! Having discharged its energy, it is reduced
to 0 HP and its blasted bones and gear crumble
to the ground. Likewise, if successfully struck by
a metal weapon, the spell is triggered, conduct-
ing through the attacker’s weapon and inflicting
18 points of damage (and still destroying the
monster). If struck with a non-metal weapon,
damage is inflicted normally (roll randomly for
the monster’s hit points). Because of their nature,
shocking bones are considered 4+1 hit dice
for purposes of striking creatures only normally
harmed by magic weapons.
17
If the walls are surmounted from anywhere
except these areas and the various towers
(LEVEL 2, AREAS 11 and 13, LEVEL 3, AREA
12), a magic mouth is triggered (in Her Dark
Majesty’s commanding voice), ordering these
troops to defend the battlements! As one, they
will swarm the walls, initially spreading them-
selves out evenly, but concentrating their forces
against any discovered invaders. NOTE: The
skelters at AREA 12 also command these forces.
If the alarm has not been sounded, they stand
at the ready and will ignore trespassers. If any
group is molested, they will defend themselves.
They have no treasure.
4. GALLERY. This area features a grim collection
of trophies and works of art: four abhorrent stat-
uettes sculpted from basalt, marble, volcanic
glass and brass, the mounted head of a shedu,
a broken arrow (formerly of lich slaying), the
horn of a ki-rin, a blackened and blasted suit of
ornate and gold-filigreed plate armor, a beauti-
ful ivory bust of Her Dark Majesty’s (illusory) like-
ness (500 GPV), a shattered staff (of the magi),
a preserved mauve six-fingered hand, a brass
candelabra with six fat brown candles (each
rendered from human fat), and the stretched skin
of some fantastic creature — wolf-like, but with
the talons, wings and tail of a bird of paradise
(a rare creature known as a simurg).
5. GREAT PARLOR. The black stone floor is pol-
ished smooth and Her Dark Majesty maintains
a stark set of uncomfortable furniture for those
guests she must endure. Multiple chandeliers are
suspended from the ceiling (all presently unlit).
A vivid tapestry is suspended between the win-
dows depicting Her Dark Majesty (as she pres-
ents herself to the world) and her fearsome hus-
band presiding over a ghostly court of horrid
things.
If the room is searched, a tall cabinet of blood-
red wood is noted. It is neither trapped nor
locked. Within are two goblets and three bot-
tles. One goblet is fashioned from a human
skull, the interior lined with gold. The other is
fashioned from iron and decorated with fauns
cavorting with nymphs (a close inspection notes
that the nymphs have horns and hooves). The
skull goblet is magic and has a name inscribed
on the bottom of its base (“Juoppo”). It can mag-
ically fill itself with any alcoholic beverage its
holder desires – an unlimited number of times.
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
Its bearer need only make a toast to activate the
magic. If the power is abused, however; used
to fill up barrels, etc., the attendant spirit may
grow offended and cause it to be filled with a
virulent poison when least expected. Juoppo is a
treasure stolen from the Köthic tribes to the east
of the Land of Song (GPV: 3,500; XPV: 1,000).
The iron cup is also enchanted (GPV: 1,500;
XPV: 500); hoisting the cup summons its servant,
a smoky creature appearing as a smallish faun
with a floor-length beard. It is a form of unseen
servant and will scamper quickly to fetch the
cup-bearer drinks, food, etc., functioning exactly
as the spell but in existence as long as the cup
is held. If destroyed it can be summoned again
after a span of 24 hours.
The stoppered bottles are made of exotic glass
(GPV: 200 ea.) and contain a wondrous form of
doppelbock, no less delicious as a result of its
infernal origins.
6. STORE. This chamber contains linens, silks and
other such things. Taken as a collection there are
400 GPV worth of valuables, but they are both
fragile and encumbering.
7. PLAYROOM. This room is well lit by a continual
light spell contained within a blue-white glass
ball suspended from the ceiling. This room is
presently occupied by a trio of mephits – smoke,
ice and acid (HP: 14, 11, 8) playing an intense
game of Hnefatafl and hurling inventive insults
at each other. The room contains all manner of
games – tafl, merels, fox and geese, and many
more unknown to the PCs. Her Dark Majesty
never comes here, but Säde (LEVEL FOUR, AREA
8) sometimes does.
8. SADATELLA’S ROOM. The door to this room is
locked (Sadatella bears the key) and bears a
magical trap. If a password is not uttered as the
door is opened, the pull-ring animates into a liv-
ing asp (AC: 6; HD: 1; HP: 3; #ATT: 1; DM: 1;
SA: death poison) and attacks the opener.
Sadatella’s chamber is immaculate and richly
furnished. She keeps her personal treasure here:
1,100 gp, a silver chain necklace with five per-
fectly matched pearls worth 1,200 gp, a gold
ring set with a single black opal worth 2,000,
a mirror decorated with turquoise worth 85 gp,
together with a potion of ESP kept in a purple
crystal vase (worth 15 gp).
18
9. HALL OF ANCIENT ATROCITIES. The door to this
room is locked (Sadatella bears the key). It is
always lit by a candelabra set on the floor in
the center of room (NOTE: this item is magical
and rather valuable; it literally cannot be extin-
guished by any means of short of destroying the
device. GPV: 750).
The walls are covered with exquisitely-made tap-
estries, all of silk and all of the highest quality
(GPV: 75 each). A cursory inspection (such as
simply moving them aside to search for secret
doors) will fail to reveal that they tell a story.
TAPESTRY #1: The Escape: A procession of
weary people, women and children among
them, struggle across treacherous ice floes
beneath the Northern Lights. Some have col-
lapsed on the unforgiving ice; others are swal-
lowed by the sea. The people are tall and lanky,
fair of skin, with light yellow hair and striking
blue eyes. The overall sense is that they are flee-
ing something in the black north behind them.
TAPESTRY #2: The Plains of Woe: Those who
survived the ice find land; a wind-blasted waste-
land of bare rock. The people begin to pene-
trate further, daring the towering sharp peaks
beyond the wasteland. They brave the moun-
tains, explore strange ruins they find, and fend
off many fierce and fantastic monsters. The peo-
ple are depicted as wielding powerful magic
through song.
TAPESTRY #3: The Refuge: The people find a
sheltered valley fed by a fjord. They rejoice and
set about building a sanctuary. They invoke great
works through song. Soon they have tamed the
powerful icy storms, and have cattle and hardy
crops.
TAPESTRY #4: The City: The people build a
beautiful walled city, raising the stone from the
roots of the mountains and beckoning fountains
of fresh water to flow. They man its walls, keep-
ing a watchful eye to the north. A sense of fear is
imparted; a fear of something beyond the frozen
sea.
TAPESTRY #5: Sanctuary: The hidden city
is completed and the people thrive. Power-
ful dweomers are laid to further hide the city
both from the undepicted menace to the north
and against mysterious reptilian antagonists
DF34 John Turcotte
they have accidentally awakened beneath the
strange and cyclopean ruins discovered in the
mountains. They raise a beautiful monolith in
the center of their city, fashioned from the same
gleaming stone, and master craftsmen labori-
ously adorn it with runes and symbols (the base
of the monolith looks strikingly identical to the
odd formation in the citadel’s main courtyard
(LEVEL ONE AREA 2)).
TAPESTRY #6: Peace: The fair people prosper
and multiply. The lord of the people constructs
a wondrous residence for his lady and the two
welcome the birth of a daughter. The entire city
rejoices.
TAPESTRY #7: The Princess: The Lord’s daughter
is depicted as gifted. She is as wise as the elders
and quickly masters their secret songs. She is
able to converse with animals, which follow her
and obey her commands. She is allowed to wan-
der outside the city walls and she discovers a
secret garden in the peaks where pallid roses
bloom. It becomes her hiding place and she
grows into a lovely young woman.
TAPESTY #8: Tragedy: The Lady of the peo-
ple dies and the city goes into mourning. Her
daughter is most distraught. The Lord marries
again, quickly, and his new wife gives birth to a
baby girl. The people are pleased and rejoice,
but the elder daughter does not. She retreats to
her secret place frequently and the rose blooms
begin to die off.
TAPESTRY #8: The Betrayal: The new Lady of
the city is cruel and cold. She favors her own
daughter and abuses the older girl. She is
imprisoned for a time in a tall tower, with her
animal friends as her only comfort. Her father
ignores the abuse and is eventually persuaded
into exiling the princess into the freezing waste-
land, seemingly oblivious to the obvious death
sentence. The girl flees to her secret place and
discovers, for the first time, a secret stone portal.
Opening it, she finds a set of stairs descending
steeply deep down into the darkness beneath
the mountain.
TAPESTRY #9: The Betrothed: The girl descends
into the darkness, where she meets a prince,
banished there unfairly. He makes her his wife,
and together they rule over a weird and fantas-
tic subterranean kingdom. He teaches her many
19
secrets and she studies in vaulted libraries hid-
den in the Underworld.
TAPESTRY #10: Vengeance: The girl, now
grown into an indomitable woman, returns to
the city from the Underworld and enacts a hor-
rific vengeance. She unleashes a host of devils
against the city. All of its inhabitants, women,
children, even infants, are slain in ghastly ways.
She transforms her father and his bride into a
variety of disgusting, and apparently agonizing,
forms. Her younger half-sister is pitilessly tortured
and left to die in the cold. The city is leveled to
the ground, the monolith broken asunder. The
bones of her victims are ground into mortar and
the foundations of a new, horrible city are laid.
The prince joins her from the Underworld and
together they watch as the Ghost City is con-
structed by legions of hellish creatures.
TAPESTRY #11: Nälkäinen Kivenen: The Ghost
City is complete and it is surrounded by gloom
and menace. The works of the fair people are
completely gone and the bitter winds blast the
peaks clean. Half of the city lies in the moun-
tains, the other half in night-black plains criss-
crossed by rivers of white fire. The Bride and
Groom rule together over the nightmare.
NOTE: A character that peered too closely into
this tapestry’s twin at Black Towen (Beneath
Black Towen LEVEL ONE AREA 32) will find him-
self teleported here, staring at this work. If its
mate still exists, transport back to Black Towen
is possible through the use of a passwall spell
(or the portable trapdoor, q.v.) directed at this
tapestry.
10. HIGH PRIEST’S ROOM. This is Hrafn’s chamber.
It contains a sitting area, a bed and a large
chest of his few material possessions. He has six
flasks of unholy water, a potion of ESP, a potion
of extra healing, a scroll containing the spell
commune (scribed at 13th level) and a scroll
containing cause disease and resist fire. He also
possesses a small prayer book containing abhor-
rent dedications to Dispater (GPV: 1,800 to the
right party). Pressed into the back of the book is
a small key and written beside it the inscription,
“between the white and silver trees.”
11. GUEST ROOM. This room contains an unmade
bed, an empty bureau and a small washing
area with a basin and large (empty) vase.
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
12. GUARD TOWERS. These areas are Spartan. A
skelter (AC: 6; MV: 12”; HD: 2+2; HP: 16, 14;
#ATT: 1; DM: 1–10; SA: spell-use; SD: immune
to sleep, charm, hold and cold-based spells;
half-damage from edged weapons; AL: NE;
XPV: 155; NOTE: these monsters first appeared
in The Secret of Bone Hill, by Lenard Lakofka),
appearing as a cowled figure bearing a thin
pale blade, is quartered in each and is attended
by a pair of Black Watch members (HP: 16, 14
(×2), 13). Each of these members is armed with
a silver-tipped pike. The skelters have each mem-
orized magic missile and shield. They turn as
wights. The skelters can command the shocking
bones in AREA 3 of this level and if the magic
mouth is sounded (q.v.), they will take to the
defense of the walls. The skelter in the north
tower has 1,375 sp; the one in the south tower
hoards 7,950 cp, 2, 210 sp and a +1 cursed
sword.
LEVEL FOUR
1. HONORED GUEST CHAMBER. The fireplace in
this room is ablaze and the room’s occupant
remains seated close to it, muffled under a thick
quilt. She is a halfbreed yuan-ti (AC: -1; HD:
6; HP: 29), come as an ambassador of sorts to
Her Dark Majesty. She appears human enough
at a quick glance, but her body is covered with
shimmering scales (bestowing her with a natural
AC of 0). She wears a +1 ring of protection
and carries a potion of invisibility. In addi-
tion to her heavy furs, she has with her a teak
chest outfitted with a combination lock (-5% to
pick locks). It contains the following: two aqua-
marines (500 GPV ea.) and a sapphire worth
6,000 gp. Beneath her heavy furs, she wears
a gold necklace strung with oriental amethysts
worth 2,600 gp.
2. BRIDAL SUITE. The door to this room is trapped
with a symbol of paralysis (lasting 5–16 turns
to all creatures of 8+1 hit dice or less). It opens
to face a massive bronze door with a bas-relief
face of a stern queen wreathed with devils and
evil things. The door bears a complicated-look-
ing lock. This is actually a false door. Tamper-
ing with it in any way, including attempting a
knock spell, triggers the opening of a 10’ × 10’
pit, plunging everyone in the area 60’ down to
DUNGEON LEVEL, AREA 11.
The chamber beyond is accessed by a secret
20
door. The room is stark (for it is never occupied).
A great, bare, canopied bed is in the center of
the chamber, surrounded by chests and small
tables.
The room is furnished as a noblewoman’s, but
all the drawers and chests are empty. The only
item of note is a pallid white rose kept in a slen-
der glass vase on a table beside the bed. The
rose will detect as magic if checked. If the rose
is molested in any way, Her Dark Majesty, if she
is still in existence, will immediately know of it.
a. The door is locked (Her Dark Majesty bears
the only key). Beyond is a cramped chamber.
Save for a heavy black cowled robe hanging
on a hook, it is empty. Another secret door
opens into a spiral staircase that descends
to Her Dark Majesty’s Sanctum (DUNGEON
LEVEL, AREAS 25–28).
3. KIRSI’S CHAMBER. This room is kept lit by three
amber-colored lamps hanging in the SE, SW
and NW corners of the room. A veritable moun-
tain of silk pillows, cushions, blankets and furs
dominates the chamber. Three hulking figures
surround the bedding. A blasphemous paint-
ing is set above the fireplace and intoxicating
incense hangs thick in the air.
Anyone inhaling the incense must save versus
breath weapon or be treated as moderately
intoxicated (see DUNGEON MASTERS GUIDE
p. 83) for 2–5 turns. The figures are monster
zombies (HP: 27, 25, 22; #ATT: 1; DM: 2–8)
altered in truly disquieting ways. They will not
attack unless they are themselves attacked. If
Kirsi’s “bed” is thoroughly searched, the follow-
ing items will be found amidst the cushions: 1) a
gold armband set with moonstones worth 1,100
gp, 2) a silver diadem with a single diamond
worth 3,400 gp, 3) a silver ring set with a small
fire opal worth 1,500 gp, 4) a silk purse con-
taining three vials of potent perfume worth 25
gp ea., 5) a tiny chest (4” × 4” × 4”) decorated
with mother-of-pearl (50 GPV) holding three
blocks of the intoxicating incense, 6) a potion
of sweetwater, and 7) a philter of love. Hid-
den beneath it all, beneath a sliding flagstone
(found as any secret door), is an unlocked chest.
The chest holds a screaming devilkin (HP: 15)
and 2,600 pp, eight Alexandrites (100 GPV)
and five topazes (500 GPV ea.). Completely out
of place, a disembodied small door and frame
DF34 John Turcotte
lean against one wall. This is actually a portable
trapdoor (see APPENDIX C).
4. GUEST CHAMBER. This room features an unmade
bed and a stand holding an empty brass basin
and crystal decanter (200 GPV).
5. TREASURY. This area is accessed only by magic.
Prior to her attempt at lichdom, Her Dark Maj-
esty could access her treasury via passwall.
Now she must rely either on her portable trap-
door or Kirsi’s teleportation. Her ill-gotten gains
are kept in orderly fashion, but there are no fur-
ther locks or traps. The following are secreted
here: 23,800 cp, 18,200 sp, 9,800 gp, seven
moss agates (10 GPV ea.), ten pieces of jasper
(50 GPV ea.), one opal worth 1,400 gp, three
Oriental topaz (3,000 GPV ea.), and three
jacinths (5,000 GPV ea.), potions of diminution,
extra healing and treasure finding, a suit of
+2 plate mail, a +1 shield/+3 vs. missiles and
a staff of curing with 20 charges. One chest
holds a feathered shawl that radiates magic
(belonging to the swanmay imprisoned in DUN-
GEON AREA 8). There are dozens of canopic
jars kept here (67 in all). If opened, the PCs may
be shocked to find a beating heart within each
one. In fact, each jar is keyed to a Heartless
One and the PCs can destroy them by destroy-
ing the hearts. Lastly, lying atop all is a massive,
mace-like weapon incapable of being wielded
by any creature with less than 18 Strength. If so
wielded, it is treated as a +1 morning star with
the added effect as being treated as a mace of
disruption when used against undead and lower
planes creatures (this belongs to the special pris-
oner in DUNGEON AREA 10 and is far more
powerful in his hands).
Suspended near the ceiling by way of a per-
manent levitation spell is an invisible canopic
jar. If made visible, it is protected by a sym-
bol of death. If touched, Her Dark Majesty will
instantly know and will have Kirsi teleport her
here, arriving in 2 rounds. Her phylactery is kept
within. It is fairly impervious to harm, requiring
a +3 or better weapon or a damaging spell of
greater than third level to destroy. If destroyed,
Her Dark Majesty’s damned soul escapes and
immediately flies to the City of Dis, leaving her
undead form behind to crumble. She will even-
tually incorporate as a spectre due to her evil
accomplishments, but all her other powers are
forever lost. If her material form is destroyed, but
21
the phylactery survives, she could conceivably
take over another body, retaining her class lev-
els and spells.
6. CATWALK. This upper battlement is patrolled
by six shocking bones (see LEVEL THREE AREA
THREE).
7. TOWERS. These freezing areas are unfurnished
and unoccupied. The plains of Dis can be
viewed from here.
8. SÄDE’S ROOM. A Black Watch member (HP:
16) armed with a glaive-guisarme stands guard
on the top step outside this room to prevent
unauthorized access. It is concealed by an illu-
sion to appear as a tall, gaunt, unspeaking but
otherwise amenable character holding a broom.
It obeys the commands of Her Dark Majesty,
Kirsi, Sadatella and the imp inside the room and
will abide by most requests from the chamber’s
human inhabitant. The door is always locked
(Sadatella and Kirsi bear the key) and protected
by a glyph of warding that will drain one energy
level.
Inside, the room is warm and cozy. It is color-
ful, with banners, blankets, small tapestries, rugs
and paintings. It is dominated by a curtained
bed. Toys and dolls are scattered around the
room. The room is well-lit by sunlight. PCs may
be surprised to look out at see that they overlook
rolling bucolic farmlands from their tower high
above a fantastic castle. This is all, of course,
illusory.
A young platinum-haired girl of perhaps seven
years, Säde (0-level; HP: 2; AL: NG), resides
here. With her at all times is a plump long-haired
white cat with one blue and one green eye; actu-
ally an imp (HP: 9). Säde knows that the cat can
speak, but does not know its true nature.
Säde is innocent, kept here for nefarious pur-
poses. She is allowed to leave her room, with
a chaperone (typically Sadatella). The imp
and the Watch member (whom she has named
“Kajsa” and “Börje,” respectively) follow her
everywhere. She often visits the Game Room
and Private Dining Area (LEVEL THREE, AREAS
2, 6 and 7), with the devils concealing all the
areas with illusions to conceal the true nature of
the place and slavishly entertaining her. Säde
believes that she is a princess, having been
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
adopted by a queen. She wears an ornate gold,
ivory and tourmaline brooch depicting a butter-
fly on bergfrue flowers (950 GPV) that is also an
amulet of inescapable location. Aside from a
collection of ivory combs (300 GPV total) and
costume jewelry (25 GPV in the aggregate) she
has no other treasure.
DUNGEON LEVEL
The temperature drops sharply as the party descends
any of the stairs, being only slightly above freezing
throughout the dungeon (AREAS 4–10 are some-
what warmer).
1. WATCHDOG. The stairs descend into an unlit
hall. A large hound sleeps at the intersection
of the hallway, directly between the doors to
AREAS 2 and 14. This is old Ulfuris, a hoar
hound (as a hell hound, but he breathes frost
instead of fire, HD: 6; HP: 21; #ATT: 1; DM:
1–3) who can speak. Although venerable and
nearly toothless, his senses are still keen and he
will awaken on a roll of 1–4 unless steps are
taken to move silently. If awakened and not
immediately mollified in some manner, he will
bark furiously and attack, drawing the attention
of those in AREA 14.
2. NUPPERIBO PIT. Immediately opposite the door
is a closed portcullis guarded by a sole spined
devil (HP: 16) armed with a military fork. The
chamber beyond is thronged with 61 nupperibo
(HP: 8 (×4), 7 (×6), 6 (×5), 5 (×10), 4 (×6),
3 (×10), 2 (×10), 1 (×10)), kept here for brute
labor. They will obey the command of any dia-
bolical being.
3. COMMON ROOM. Four non-combatant duergar
dwell here (HP: 7 (×2), 4, 3), mending, cleaning
and cooking a bland (but nourishing) stew. They
have no treasure. The door leads to a garderobe.
This room contains the dwarves’ stores of food,
water and ale, brought from the Prime Material.
4. GRAY DWARF QUARTERS. Bunks for nine gray
dwarves are kept here. The room is orderly and
clean. Three duergar are currently resting here
(HD: 2; HP: 10 (×2), 8). They are unarmored, but
their picks and hammers are within easy reach.
They each have a chain shirt and small metal
shield prepared by their bunks. Each bunk has
an orderly foot locker. A methodical search turns
up 35 gp and five garnets worth 200 gp each,
22
in addition to the dwarves’ personal effects.
5. SMITH’S QUARTERS. The five gray dwarf smiths
(AREA 14) quarter here. Two are present, por-
ing over workbooks. One has 3 HD (HP: 18), he
is unarmored, but can pick up his shield and +1
shortsword in one round, if given the opportu-
nity. The other has 4 HD (HP: 26), and while his
suit of +1 plate mail is out of reach, he will grab
his +1 shield and +2 hammer if allowed. The
other smith’s plate is non-magical. Like AREA
4, the quarters are organized and well-main-
tained. The five lockers, if searched, contain 19
gp and ten peridots (100 GPV ea.), and three
sapphires (1,000 GPV ea.). The smiths’ work-
books are written in code, but may still be valu-
able to the right parties (250 GPV × 6 work-
books), although they are cumbersome (30 gp
each). One of the smiths has a small silver flask
of excellent brandy.
6. THE OVERSMITH’S APARTMENT. The Oversmith
(AREA 14) seldom rests, and thus he is seldom
here. He is here every other night for three
hours, in such a deep sleep that he only awakes
if someone violently shakes him. The last half
hour of his time here he spends in worship in
his secret room, carefully cutting his hands and
draining the blood into a small bowl, then mix-
ing the blood with ale and drinking the macabre
mixture. The room is sparsely decorated and the
worktable is covered with sketches and elabo-
rate plans for new forms of Black Watch mem-
bers and frightful machines of war. An espe-
cially cunning trapdoor is difficult to detect (1 in
8) and is trapped with a needle armed with a
deadly poison powerful enough to slay dwarves
(-2 on the saving throw; 2–12 hit points even if
the save is made). Amidst the smith’s personal
possessions is a steel vial containing five more
doses of the poison. He has no treasure, having
secreted it in AREA 24.
7. SECRET SHRINE. This secret area has a floor of
polished red stone. Elaborate red crystal (unlit)
lanterns hang in recessed alcoves within the
east, west and south walls. The north wall fea-
tures an altar; an iron bowl and jeweled dagger
lie atop. The Oversmith conceals his worship of
Abbathor, the dwarven god of greed. The dag-
ger is worth 1,200 gp. Any good-aligned PC
who steals the dagger, however, faces a terri-
ble curse: each day at midnight the PC suffers a
mysterious wound from an invisible (and unstop-
DF34 John Turcotte
pable) malign force. 1 hit point of damage if
suffered the first night, 2 hit points the second,
3 the third and so on, until the PC is slain or
a successful exorcism spell (against an 11 HD
“possessor”) is cast. Giving the knife away will
not prevent the curse.
8. HER DARK MAJESTY’S PRISON. This warm
chamber is lit by a number of grotesquely-fash-
ioned braziers filled with hot coals. The room
is sparsely decorated, with a long stone table,
several metal chairs, and a large metal frame set
against the northern wall outfitted with shackles.
A pile of boxes and chests has been made in the
southeastern corner. Her Majesty’s jailor is here,
a hulking ogre mage (HP: 28). He is armed with
a jagged-toothed blade and bears a ring of
brass keys that open all of the chests in this room
and the cells in the hall beyond. He is served by
a fire mephit (HP: 16), presently lounging in the
largest brazier. The chests are mostly empty and
serve to hold the possessions of any prisoners.
All are locked, and if all are searched, 1,080
sp, 1,830 gp, 14 pp and a gold and silver neck-
lace worth 800 gp, can be found, in addition to
clothing and personal effects.
A large bedroll is tucked out of sight and the
jailor keeps his own treasure in a large sack
locked within an iron chest that is trapped (poi-
son darts fan out in a 60º arc before the chest,
save versus poison or become paralyzed for
2–20 turns: +1 hammer, +2 vs. magic-using &
enchanted creatures (as the sword), +1 battle
axe, +4 vs. reptiles (as the sword), +1 buck-
ler, potion animal control (reptile/amphibian),
a scroll containing the following spells: death’s
door, flame walk, insect plague, raise dead, and
remove fear (at 12th level), six banded agates
(10 GPV ea.), four chalcedony (50 GPV ea.),
and seven rock crystals (50 GPV ea.).
The hallway beyond is frigid and forlorn. It is
lined with stout iron doors, each with a massive
lock and a small viewing window. The 8’ × 8’
cramped cells beyond each contain a perma-
nent anti-magic shell, ensuring that escape is
difficult indeed.
Cells a–d are occupied as follows:
a. This cell contains a bedraggled maiden, actu-
ally Lára, a swanmay (7th level ranger, AC:
7; HP: 48 (21); S: 14; I: 13; W: 14; D: 10;
23
C: 16; CH: 14; AL: CG; MR: 14%). Her gear
and feathered shawl have been stolen.
b. A dwarf. This is Klemens, a 3/3rd level
fighter/thief (AC: 7; HP: 11; S: 13; I: 12; W:
12; D: 17; C: 12; CH: 6; AL: N), hailing from
the Hidden Kingdom of Mîmrodin. He was
captured spying.
c. A hoary middle-aged human, but in excellent
physical condition. This is Aapo, an elder of
the disgraced Marten Clan (see Stormcrows
Gather). He is a 4th level human berserker
fighter who is also a wereweasel (human
form: AC: 10; HP: 22; S: 15; I: 12; W: 14;
D: 14; C: 13; CH: 12; SA: berserk: attack
2/1 or 1/1 at +2 to hit; wereweasel form:
AC: 4; HD: 3+6; HP: 19; #ATT: 1; DM: 2–8;
SA: blood drain; SD: silver/magic weap-
ons needed to hit; AL: CN; see Stormcrows
Gather for wereweasel description). He is
desperate to escape.
d. A babau demon (HP: 47) is curled up in this
cell. It was captured spying on Her Dark Maj-
esty. The demon would love to be freed and
will certainly assist in creating mayhem. As
evil as it is, it loathes the devils more than
the PCs (although it simply can never be
trusted) and must account to its dread master
(the demon lord Secothbenoth) upon its return
and, thus, must have some havoc to report. It
will offer the name “Ulkhum-Ahu” if asked to
identify itself.
9. TORTURE CHAMBER. This chamber is outfitted
with a horrific collection devoted to pain and
misery. All of the usual accoutrements are pres-
ent, as are many others that could only have
been conceived in Hell. They are arranged in
a semi-circle facing a single chair fashioned
from silver (XPV: 1,800; GPV: 5,100). Images
are barely visible through the soot on the walls;
ghoulish figures watch over the horror that surely
unfolds here. The chair radiates magic. By now,
the party members are no doubt hesitant to sit
on any of Her Dark Majesty’s chairs. However,
no ill effect will result. If the floor is examined,
it appears from scrape marks that the chair has
been moved frequently, to face the rear wall.
Directly behind the chair, the mural depicts a
host of damned souls tumbling into a stygian
void. Should any person seated concentrate on
that void, they will immediately feel an unnatural
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
chill engulf them. If they continue to concentrate,
they will feel the chair –with them seated- hurl
itself into the abyss! To onlookers, the chair and
its occupant vanish. In reality, the chair has tele-
ported to AREA 10. If removed from the dun-
geon complex, the chair retains its ability to tele-
port within 1” distance.
10. FORLORN PRISON. When the magic is trig-
gered, the silver chair teleports itself and who-
ever is seated upon it to a pitch-dark cramped
and freezing chamber. If seated, a person need
only desire to return to the Torture Chamber to
do so in a single segment. The walls, floor and
ceiling are seemingly made of metal; painful to
the touch with the cold (indeed, inflicting 1 hit
point of damage per round to exposed flesh).
The ceiling is only 7’ overhead and there are no
windows or doors. The chair faces a prison cell
to the immediate west; the bars made of black-
ened iron and covered in evil runes of power.
A naked figure sits in the cell. The prisoner is
Radiant Smoke Envelops the Unrepentant, an
astral deva (HP: 77); its capture an accomplish-
ment of which Her Dark Majesty is especially
proud. Her prisoner causes her no end of con-
cerns, however, as she worries of his escape.
She dares not bring him forth from his cell even
for torture and is coming to be of a mind to turn
her prisoner over to Dispater (in return for some
dire boon, no doubt). Still, it pleases her to think
of him trapped in the freezing dark.
The deva is obviously a tremendous ally if freed.
However, his cell is not only lead-lined (as is the
entire room), but also subject to a permanent
anti-magic shell. The bars are not truly made of
iron, but rather of some hellish alloy which resists
bending or breaking (the bars save as hard
metal +5 and can be bent only by those with
20 Strength or better). The cell door does have
a magical lock and Her Dark Majesty keeps the
key in her person. NOTE: The distilled ultimate
solution from the Laboratory (DUNGEON, AREA
25) will work to dissolve the lock/bars. Attempts
to pick the lock are fruitless except on a natu-
rally rolled “01” although a thief is subject to
a nasty curse for his troubles: each day thereaf-
ter, he loses 1–10% from a randomly selected
Thief Function. Remove curse will not help; a
successful dispel magic against an 18th level
caster is required. If freed, Radiant Smoke will
do his part to assist the party members in getting
back to the (relative) safety of the Prime Material
24
Plane. He will certainly aid in the destruction of
Her Dark Majesty if he can, but fears for the
PCs’ safety. Further, he was not given license by
his superiors to run amok on Dis, and must return
to Elysium as soon as possible.
11. PIT. The long fall from LEVEL 4, AREA 2 ter-
minates here. There is a 3’ × 3’ metal grill in
the wall between AREAS 11 and 12. From this
side, it is difficult to move (requiring a successful
BEND BARS/OPEN GATES roll).
12. SECRET ROOM. A thoul tunnel (AREA 18) opens
into this smaller chamber from the floor. The
secret door into the larger chamber to the north
is obvious from within the secret room. A metal
grill separates this area from AREA 11 and it
can be (relatively) easily opened from this side
(normal OPEN DOORS roll).
13. WHISPERING VAULT. A palpable sense of evil
permeates this empty, unlit chamber. Anyone
who enters is disquieted; they seem to hear
snatches of thin whispers, but no words can be
discerned. Occasional flickers appear out of the
corners of one’s eye. The entire chamber radi-
ates evil if detected. In fact, disembodied evil
spirits are retained here, called by Her Dark
Majesty’s abhorrent summoning. Shapeless and
without substance, they cannot hurt the party
members. They wait to inhabit the suits of armor
fashioned by the Oversmith and join the ranks of
the Black Watch.
14. THE COLD FORGES. A blast of intense cold
envelops the party when this door is opened.
Beyond is a huge frigid chamber, lit by an intense
blue-white light. The walls, ceiling and floor are
coated with hoar-frost and icy growths. Huge ici-
cles hang from the ceiling like stalactites. There
is a recessed area at the far end of the chamber,
from where the light emanates. Figures can be
seen silhouetted against the illumination.
The Oversmith toils here at the far end of the
chamber (AC: 6; HD: 7; HP: 37). He wears a
veritable mountain of heavy furs, an insulated
facemask and gauntlets of ogre strength,
together with his ring of x-ray vision. Presently,
he is using tonsures which, if he must, he can
wield as a club. If allowed, he will draw his
sword of the lower planes (see NEW MAGIC
ITEMS) taking a round to do so. Beneath his furs,
he wears +2 leather armor.
DF34 John Turcotte
Attending the Oversmith are three undersmiths.
One has 5 HD (HP: 29); he is outfitted in furs
and has (the Oversmith’s) +3 hammer at the
ready, and wears +1 plate mail and carries a
+2 shortsword under his furs. Another has 4
HD (HP: 17), is armed with a +1 hammer and
shortsword; he wears plate mail under his furs.
The last is 3 HD (HP: 14) who wears plate and
bears a hammer and short sword.
The bricked-off hallways leading to AREA 15 are
not immediately visible due to the ice and frost.
The trapdoor to AREA 24 is likewise concealed
and is described more completely in that entry.
15. ARCTIC PASSAGE. This hall is blisteringly cold.
It is dimly lit by a whitish glow, enabling heroes
to see a tall gleaming figure in the precise center
off the passage. This is an ice para-elemental
(HD: 16; HP: 78) bound within a magic circle,
commanded to pour forth his essence into an
enchanted lens (XPV: 3,000; GPV: 15,000) in
the northern wall to power the Oversmith’s cold
forges (AREA 14). It is enraged by its servitude.
If the magic circle is broken, it will smash down
the brick walls within four rounds, attempt to slay
every living thing in AREA 14 and will pursue
those who flee, wreaking havoc in the dungeon
for up to three turns before departing.
A thoul tunnel (AREA 18) opens into the west-
erly end of the passage. If removed, the lens
provides a bonus to all cold-based spells cast
through it, inflicting +1 damage/die.
16. CHAMBERLAIN. This chamber is a crowded
mess of furniture and folded charts and scrolls.
The citadel’s chamberlain, a bearded devil
(HP: 36) keeps council here, operating the fine-
tuned maintenance and chores insisted upon
by Her Dark Majesty. Presently, he is review-
ing a cleaning schedule with a motley host of
characters, an ice mephit (HP: 13), a smoke
mephit (HP: 18), a red abishai (HP: 17) and a
spined devil (HP: 21). None of the devils are
immediately recognizable however, as each
is concealed by an illusion: the chamberlain
appearing as a squat, toad-faced being with a
tentacled beard, the abishai as a wolf-headed
creature with the body of a stork, the spined
devil as a monstrosity with a wolf-like body, the
head of a parrot and a cobra for a tail. Combat
in the cloistered area is chaotic, all combatants
fight at a -1 penalty.
25
The charts and scrolls contain maps and sche-
matics of the citadel, containing all locations
except secret doors, any areas concealed by
secret doors, trapdoors, the pit at LEVEL FOUR,
AREA 2, DUNGEON AREAS 7, 10–12, and
25–28. Neither the chamberlain nor his minions
have any treasure.
17. SCULLERY. This room is a chaotic mess. A vast
metal sink occupies the north wall and numer-
ous tables clutter the space. A spined devil (HP:
16) oversees four lemures (HP: 15, 14, 11) who
listlessly clean an assortment of pans, dishes,
utensils and far less pleasant items. The devil
conceals his appearance beneath an illusion-
ary bear-like form with folded feathery wings.
The dumb-waiter in the western wall leads up
to LEVEL ONE, AREA 21 and LEVEL TWO,
AREA 9. Unless the PCs have used/disturbed
the dumb-waiter, when this room in entered, roll
1d6: 1–2: the lift is here; 3–4: on LEVEL ONE;
5–6: on LEVEL TWO.
18. THE CORPSE-EATERS. The stench of this
chamber is detectable beyond the threshold.
Beyond, the filthy space is strewn with waste,
shredded clothing, gnawed bones and fright-
ful muck.
Four thouls lurk here (HP: 23, 20, 17, 16). Two
of their brethren are above in LEVEL ONE, AREA
21. There is an obvious trapdoor in the ceiling.
In the southeast corner, the floor has been dug
away. This hole leads to a series of twisting,
claustrophobic tunnels beneath the citadel. The
tunnels require those who enter to crawl prone.
No map is provided; however, the maze pro-
vides access to DUNGEON LEVEL, AREAS 12,
15 and 20, and at least two branches extend
out into the Ghost City. Whatever else PCs
brave enough to worm through the tunnels may
encounter is entirely up to the DM. The thouls
have no treasure.
19. EMPTY STOREROOM. The secret door in the
southern wall is opened by depressing a well-dis-
guised panel in the western wall, causing a sec-
tion of wall to recess back three inches and then
slide up.
20. STOREROOM. This room is little used. There are
some dry stores here, together with lumber, bro-
ken furniture and other junk. Weird snake-like
rodents wind through the mess. A hole has been
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
clawed up through the floor in the southwest cor-
ner and concealed with debris; this hole leads
to the thoul’s tunnels (DUNGEON, AREA 18).
A thoul is currently here (HP: 19), observing the
inhabitants of AREA 16 via a small spyhole in
the secret door (the door is only 2 ½’ square).
21. CAVERN OF PITY. The secret door is opened by
pulling down a torch holder at the end of the
hall. The portal reveals a rough-hewn cavern,
perhaps partly natural. It is dimly lit by a faint
blue-green illumination with no discernable
source. A pool of frigid water has collected
here.
When the PCs enter, the shade of a young girl
holding a candle will materialize, standing in
the (to her) waist-deep water. The spirit is not
frightful; rather it elicits pity. The girl is a form of
Lost Soul (q.v.) but, being absolutely pure and
incorruptible, she cannot be harmed by any-
thing in Hell. She is in fact the shade of Her Dark
Majesty’s half-sister Eija. She cannot leave the
Citadel while Her Majesty exists, but neither can
that fiend molest her. Eija effectively radiates a
permanent circle of protection from evil in a 3’
radius for purposes of dealing with malign crea-
tures. If the PCs do not attack her (or attempt to
turn her), she will do anything she can to aid the
party. Although she has little specific information
about the citadel, she knows many generalities,
and knows that a pack of thouls have been tun-
neling throughout the complex (DUNGEON,
AREA 18), that her half-sister has abducted a
special prisoner (LEVEL FOUR, AREA 4) and that
she keeps “another prisoner she fears” (DUN-
GEON, AREA 10). If the party thinks to rescue
her after Her Dark Majesty is destroyed, upon
her return to the Prime Material she will vanish;
her people’s deities having reincarnated her.
She will seek out the party in the future in her
new (human) form to properly thank them.
23. LOST TREASURES OF THE CLANS. Beyond the
22. THE BEAST’S LAIR. The dungeon is haunted by
a horrifying beast. This portion is sealed off by
a thick (3’) brick wall. What original stock this
creature may have been, wolf, bear or lion, is
unknown. Decades of feasting on the Clan’s
greatest treasures (AREA 23) have warped
this monster to the point where even Her Dark
Majesty fears unleashing it. If attracted out of
its lair, its head and jaws fill the hallway, as it
must crouch to traverse the passage. In shape,
it has a huge squarish body with long wooly
26
black fur. The most dominating feature is its
massive maw, fearfully out of proportion with
the remainder of its form. Its eyes are small and
red and its ears are barely visible beneath its
long fur. Hävittää-lta Odottaa (“Eater of
Hope”) (AC: 4; MV: 9”; HD: 16; HP: 93; #ATT:
1 bite; DM: 6–36; AL N; SA: stomp, shake; SD:
immune to disease, fear and poison; regenera-
tion; XPV: 11,210) is larger than a mammoth. In
the hallway leading to its lair, it can only bite.
In a larger space, it can also stomp on a vic-
tim, inflicting 1–8 points of damage and pinning
its prey beneath its weight unless a successful
saving throw versus petrification at -2 is made
(inflicting an automatic 1–8 hit points of dam-
age per round until prey is released). If it rolls
4 more than needed on its “to hit” roll, it sav-
agely shakes its prey and dashes it to the floor,
inflicting 2–12 points of damage in addition to
its bite. The thing is difficult to kill as it heals all
wounds at the rate of 1–4 hit points each round.
It will not regenerate once it reaches 0 hp.
portal are kept the greatest treasures of the Clans,
stolen by Her Dark Majesty’s minions early in
her campaign against the Land of Song, more
than four generations ago. A pair of impressive
aurochs crowd together in this stinking chamber.
The bull is as black as night; the cow as white
as milk, both boasting daunting horns. The ani-
mals (AC: 4; MV: 15”; HD: 4; HP: 32; #ATT:
1; DM: 2–16; SA: charge for double damage;
AL: N) radiate magic. These creatures are gifts
from the Upper Planes. Päivä, the cow, can pro-
DF34 John Turcotte
duce as much milk in one day as seven normal
cows, and it will not sour for a week. The cream
skimmed from the milk is identical in effect as
royal jelly created by giant bees (see MONSTER
MANUAL II). Yö, the bull, can be slaughtered
and the meat thereby obtained functions as a
heroes’ feast when eaten that day, for up to
twenty-four men. He is resurrected anew each
dawn. If allowed to breed, Päivä and Yö will
produce a pair of twin calves twice per season.
These offspring are non-magical in nature, but
will always grow to maximum hit points. Note
that Päivä can also be slain each night, only to
be returned to life the next morning. Her meat,
while succulent, confers no additional benefits.
Nothing short of a wish will permanently kill
either of these creatures. These magical ani-
mals are not particularly docile; they will defend
themselves to the best of their ability and a firm
and careful hand is needed to manage them.
As a pair, they are effectively priceless (XPV:
10,000). If the PCs attempt to keep or sell them,
however, as opposed to returning them to the
Clans, the Ancestors will no doubt intervene and
27
call down a horrible doom.
24. FORGOTTEN CHAMBER. Short of facing Hävit-
tää-lta Odottaa, this secret room may only be
accessed via a well-concealed trap door in AREA
14 cunningly concealed to appear as part of the
floor. It can be detected as any secret door. If
uncovered, a 2” thick, 2½’ × 2½’ stone slab
can easily be slid aside revealing a recessed
stone face. A complicated lock mechanism is
set in the center of the secret area, comprised
of three smallish metal levers set in slots. Each
slot has three settings; a top, middle and bottom
position. The correct setting to open the lock is
as follows: Top/Top/Middle. If that combination
is entered, the recessed area rises a few inches
with a satisfying clang, and then a 4’ × 4’ sec-
tion of the floor slides aside, revealing a square
tunnel that descends 8’ down to an open area.
Iron rungs form a ladder on the side of the shaft.
If the levers are set to Top/Top/Top or Bottom/
Bottom/Bottom, a trap is tripped and a virulent poi-
son gas erupts from the slots, forming a 12’ × 12’
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
cloud centered on the lock mechanism. The poi-
son is designed to slay any of the Oversmith’s
greedy underlings and is therefore exceptionally
potent, as it is intended to be equally deadly to
duergar. Anyone caught in the initial spray (the
handle-puller and anyone immediately beside
them) must save versus poison at a -2 penalty or
be slain. Those who save still suffer 2–12 points
of damage and are treated as stunned for 2–8
turns. Any victims in the resultant cloud must also
save versus the death poison (at no penalty) and
suffer only 1–6 points of damage on a successful
save. The cloud dissipates in two rounds. Any
other combination, with the two exceptions set
forth above, simply has no result. The trap may
be found normally by a thief, but is exceptionally
difficult to remove. Thieves suffer a -25% penalty
on rolls to do so.
The shaft descends to a 4’ × 4’ tunnel that
extends for 15 feet before terminating in another
8’ shaft with an accompanying ladder. An obvi-
ous trapdoor is at the top of this shaft and is
neither locked nor trapped.
The 20’ × 20’ chamber above the shaft con-
tains the secreted wealth of the Oversmith kept
in orderly chests and coffers (all unlocked):
11,000 cp, 7, 500 sp, 4,800 gp, 500 pp, a set
of jade bracelets (1,000 GPV ea.), a wrought
silver torc set with emeralds (5,000 GPV), a
gold crown set with a perfect black sapphire
(6,200 GPV), a gold drinking horn set with dia-
monds in the shape of the Hammer Constella-
tion (6,100 GPV), a potion of fire resistance,
and oil of acid resistance. Lastly, there is a tiny
silver box is lined with silk (200 GPV). Within
is a plain gold ring. When the box is opened,
the ring will telepathically speak to all present,
declaring, “My name is Fritjof. Stop before you
pick me up. I function as a ring of invisibility but
will also grant my wearer one wish spell each
year. My only drawbacks are that I permanently
consume a piece of your soul each year, and I
may have but one wearer. Once I am removed
from the finger of the one who wears me, all
my powers are lost. But if you would take me,
you must put me on before you depart, because
I can leave this room only while worn. So you
must decide right now who will wear me per-
manently.” The ring is intelligent (INT: 15), neu-
tral-aligned and has an Ego of 8. It is lying as
to being powerless unless worn immediately; it
28
desires an owner. It will, however, permanently
devour 3 hit points per year and actually can-
not be removed (not without a quest of the DM’s
devising). More distressingly, however, it is vain-
glorious and jealous and will seek to assert its
personality over its wearer at the first opportu-
nity (see DUNGEON MASTERS GUIDE p. 168).
A portion of the northern wall was once clearly
a doorway that has long since been bricked up.
If intrepid adventurers venture beyond, they may
well wish that they had not (see AREA 22).
AREAS 25 – 28: HER DARK MAJESTY’S SANCTUM:
These areas are all protected by potent dweomers
and thick lead plates. As such, these strong mag-
netic and magic forces prevent the use of teleporta-
tion or passwall spells into or out of this section of
the dungeon (as well as the portable trapdoor). The
only means of ingress or egress is the great spiral
stair from LEVEL FOUR, AREA 2a (unless the wall in
DUNGEON LEVEL, AREA 11 is somehow punched
through). Likewise, scrying into these areas is impos-
sible. As a result of these enchantments, and Her
Dark Majesty’s commandments, no one, not even
Kirsi or the Bridegroom, will enter this area without
Her Majesty’s direct permission. Therefore, it is iron-
ically the best location in the entire complex for the
PCs to hide.
25. LABORATORY. The great spiral stair comes at
last to an end in a short pitch-dark hall. Directly
opposite the stair is a massive portal depicting a
fantastic bird of paradise; its multi-colored feath-
ers made up of precious stones.
a. Guards and wards: Only the key kept on
Her Dark Majesty’s person will unlock the
door and permit entry beyond. The PCs will
no doubt surmise that the door is well-pro-
tected, and it is. The door reflects all spells
of less than 4th level cast upon it. Likewise,
it cannot be forced open without a successful
BEND BARS/OPEN GATES roll. If an attempt
at forced entry is made, a symbol of discord
is triggered. Subsequent attempts in a single
day will trigger symbols of sleep and death,
respectively, after which no further magical
traps are triggered for a 24-hour period while
the portal resets. Each time, the symbols man-
ifest as the result of a dazzling display of light
playing off the gems set into the door. The
secret to avoid these symbols, therefore, is to
vandalize the door in complete darkness. If
DF34 John Turcotte
the PCs exercise the two hours necessary, they
can extricate 4,675 gp worth of ornamental
and semi-precious stones from the door.
Beyond the door is an oddly-shaped room. The
walls feature deeply-incised runes of power and
magic. Although sizeable, the chamber feels
cramped due to the filled shelves, cases, work-
benches and tables. Of immediate concern is a
life-sized statue of dark green crystal, fashioned
in the form of a naked female. This is a decanter
golem (see NEW MONSTERS), filled with green
slime. It will attack any creature not accompa-
nied by Her Dark Majesty, Kirsi or Sadatella.
This is Her Dark Majesty’s laboratory and work-
room. The shelves and beakers are full of spell
components and a variety of disquieting mate-
rial. A single skeleton (HP: 4) is present to assist
in menial chores, and will assemble itself from
a pile if commanded to do so or approached. It
has remarkable manual dexterity and can follow
even the most complex of commands. If the entire
laboratory is thoroughly searched, a time-con-
suming process, the party will discover several
completed potions: elixir of madness, extra
healing, fire resistance, poison and undead
control (vampires), together with more than a
dozen unfinished droughts. Scrolls of protection
from breath weapon (dragons), protection from
lycanthropes, and a scroll containing dimension
door and minor globe of invulnerability are also
here. She is presently working on a scroll of pro-
tection from devas, but it is incomplete. Her Dark
Majesty’s beaker of plentiful potions can be
found in a prominent position. Lastly, the party can
find two stoppered glassteel flasks kept together
in a specially-prepared basket. One contains 25
oz. of ultimate solution; the other holds 8 oz. of
the distilled variety of the solution (q.v.).
b. The Secret Cache: There is no door to this
area; like LEVEL FOUR, AREA 5, it may be
accessed only by teleportation, passwall
(cast from within the complex) or through use
of the portable trapdoor. This space has a
7’ ceiling and features a stone-topped table
built into and running along the length of
the north wall. Two shelves are set above it.
The uppermost shelf contains a collection of
seven leather-bound tomes with brass clasps.
The lower shelf holds a smallish dark wooden
29
chest, a coffer with an inlaid mother-of-pearl
cover and a bone scroll tube.
The chest is wizard locked but untrapped; it is,
however extremely heavy. A small chest con-
structed of lead fits neatly within. It is also wiz-
ard locked and is protected by a frost trap spell
(otherwise identical to fire trap) cast at the 18th
level of ability. An even smaller ornate chest con-
structed of silver (GPV: 875) sits within the lead
chest. It, too, is wizard locked and opening the
chest without first reciting the password (known
only to Her Dark Majesty) summons an opinicus
(HP: 36) bound to guard the contents of the chest.
The creature will be most distressed to battle a
group of good-aligned PCs, but is compelled to
do so if they persist after the chest’s contents. It
will therefore do what it can to dissuade them
from that course of action. The silver chest con-
tains a breathtakingly ornate and baroque neck-
lace made from a glittering crimson metal and
set with a single fire opal the size of a robin’s
egg. The necklace appears to be worth 17,500
gp, but it radiates evil and woe to those who
take it or even gaze upon it for it is the talisman
of Kuu Humastaas, the Bridegroom (see MON-
STER MANUAL, p. 20).
The coffer is neither locked nor trapped, it con-
tains oil of etherealness and a scroll containing
magic jar.
The scroll case is likewise protected by both a
frost trap and a symbol (insanity). Within are
three scrolls. The first details the unspeakable
rites necessary to create Heartless Ones; the sec-
ond details the construction of shocking bones;
and the third is a special illuminated sheet of
vellum — in fact the material component of a
spiritwrack spell, setting forth the true name of
Dispater’s vassal, the pit fiend Bel (incidentally,
it is “Adonibahal”).
Her Dark Majesty’s spellbooks are kept in an
orderly fashion upon the top shelf. Although the
PCs will no doubt fear protective enchantments,
she must herself consult these tomes regularly
and therefore, they are not trapped. It is incum-
bent upon any good DM, however, to convince
the party otherwise! Her collection includes the
following:
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
Spellbook #1:
first level: charm person, detect magic, magic
missile, protection from evil, read
magic, shield, shocking grasp,
unseen servant
second level: darkness 15’ radius, detect invisi-
bility, levitate, mirror image, shat-
ter, vocalize, web, whip
third level: clairvoyance, dispel magic, hold
person, lightning bolt, monster
summoning I, phantasmal force,
suggestion, tongues
Spellbook #2:
first level: alarm, armor, dancing lights,
identify, message, read magic,
sleep, write
second level: continual light, ESP, invisibility,
locate object, scare, wizard lock
third level: blink, fly, hold person, slow
Spellbook #3:
fourth level: charm monster, confusion, fire
shield, minor globe of invulner-
ability, monster summoning II,
remove curse, wall of ice
fifth level: animate dead, cloudkill, conjure
elemental, hold monster, magic
jar, monster summoning III, stone
shape, teleport
Spellbook #4:
fourth level: dimension door, frost trap (a vari-
ant but otherwise identical to fire
trap)
fifth level: contact other plane, dismissal,
dolor
sixth level: control weather, death spell,
enchant an item, legend lore
Spellbook #5:
sixth level: geas, monster summoning IV
seventh level: limited wish, monster summoning V,
sequester
Spellbook #6:
eighth level: glassteel, monster summoning VI,
permanency, trap the soul
ninth level: gate, shape change
30
Spellbook #7: This tome is a traveling spell-
book and is specifically enchanted such that it is
immune to magical fire. It contains only a single
spell:
sixth level: spiritwrack
26. VIVISECTION GALLERY. Horrific moans and cries
can be heard as soon as the door is opened. If
the area is entered, the din ceases immediately,
replaced by pitiful whimpering. There are six
pits in the floor; each eight feet deep. Within
each pit are 1–4 ghastly creatures, shockingly
deformed and twisted; some whose flesh has
the appearance of melted wax. Three of these
things have managed to escape their pits and
cower at the far end of the room. These are the
Broken Ones, the results of Her Dark Majesty’s
inhuman experiments (AC: 10; MV: 3”; HD:
1-1; AL N). They are non-combatants and can-
not harm the heroes. At the far end of the cham-
ber is a long metal table, replete with manacles.
A series of drawers built into the table contain
all manner of disturbing tools, blades, saws and
other things. While their precise function cannot
be determined, the PCs can surely make rough
and nightmarish guesses.
27. SUMMONING CHAMBER. The secret door
to this chamber leads to what appears to be
a large unlit chamber. In fact, the chamber is
divided into two separate areas, as depicted on
the map, by a wall of force that Her Dark Maj-
esty may raise or lower by command (it is pres-
ently raised). The larger portion of the room is
used for summoning dread entities. As such, it is
uncomfortably warm; permeated by an ungodly
stench and fearful presence. Three magic circles
are inscribed upon the floor. Her Dark Majesty is
not presently “entertaining” any visitors.
28. PORTAL. The door to this area is protected by a
powerful dweomer. Anyone who opens the door
without Her Dark Majesty’s permission must save
versus spells or be polymorphed into a medusa!
The passage beyond is unlit and features only
a large brass-bound door with a heavy pull-
ring. It opens easily enough. Whether it leads
to Avernus, Minauros, the Astral Plane or else-
where is entirely up to the DM.
DF34 John Turcotte
CONCLUSION: If the heroes destroy Her Dark Maj-
esty, her reign of evil is ended and the Land of Song
is free of her malice. Without her iron will driving
them, her host of gnolls scatter and the Black Watch
companies cease their attack and return to the Ghost
City, where they will stand at attention until the end
of time. If the horrid bell in LEVEL ONE, AREA 22 is
destroyed, severing the link between The Ghost City
and Dis, the PCs will have earned a boon from the
Clans’ Ancestors (DM’s discretion, but a limited wish
is recommended).
APPENDIX A: HER DARK MAJESTY
VAMATAR (evil heroine)
Her Dark Majesty, The Fiend Bride
ARMOR CLASS: 4
MOVE: 3”
HIT POINTS: 49 (11 HIT DICE)
NO. ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1–10
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
SIZE: S
ALIGNMENT: Lawful Evil
CLERIC/DRUID: Nil
FIGHTER: Nil
MAGIC-USER/ILLUSIONIST: 18th level magic-user
THIEF/ASSASSIN: Nil
MONK/BARD: 9th level bard
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
X.P. VALUE: 10,034
S: 9 I: 19 W: 17 D: 6 C: 17 CH: 18
Vamatar was indeed defeated by Hjalmar’s forces
on Battle Bay during the Winter of Tears. Her body
was broken and cast down through the ice and
beneath the black waters. She had already begun
the unspeakable process of achieving lichdom prior
to her campaign against the Land of Song. When her
physical form was ruined, her spirit escaped to her
phylactery which was taken by her servants when
they fled the field. Unable to defend Black Towen
from the wrath of the Clans, those few servants
still loyal to her fled further north still, to Nälkäinen
Kivenen. Twice, she attempted to enter a body pre-
pared for her by Kirsi, and twice the attempt failed
(see Len Lakofka’s article, “Blueprint for a Lich,” pub-
31
Player Characters surviving the adventure are heroes
without peers in the eyes of the Clans and are
awarded titles and territory. Marriage to the Clans’
daughters is insisted upon. Immortality, in song at
least, is attained. There are far worse endings to be
had.
HERE ENDS MISTRESS OF THE GHOST CITY
HERE ENDS THE HER DARK MAJESTY SERIES
lished in Dragon Magazine #26 (June 1979)). What
was left of her original body was eventually recov-
ered from the floor of the fjord. Now, the girl Säde
is being groomed for Vamatar’s eventual possession.
In life, she was a legendary heroine before her
corruption; clever, brave and beloved by all. She
became, however, cold, cruel and vain. She memo-
rizes phantasmal force each day and uses it to cre-
ate the illusion of her appearance in life: a tall, stern,
striking woman with long, immaculately-braided
white hair and frigid blue eyes. If the illusion is dis-
pelled, the heroes will recoil in horror. Not much is
left of Her Dark Majesty, and what remains is bar-
nacle-encrusted and ruined. In a similar vein, she is
never without her rod of splendor. Overconfidence
is perhaps her greatest flaw.
As a semi-lich, Vamatar may be struck by normal
weapons. She is, however, immune to charm, sleep,
enfeeblement, polymorph, cold, electricity, poison,
insanity and death spells/symbols. Her touch causes
paralysis against those failing their saving throw.
Lastly, any creature below 5th level will flee upon
seeing her true visage. She was born with the innate
ability to speak with animals and obtain animal
friendship, although none can now bear the sight
of her (although she sometimes meditates invisibly in
her garden).
Due to her failure to perfect the process of transfor-
mation, however, Vamatar has access to spells only
up to third level. It should be remembered however
that she casts said spells as an 18th level magic user
and 9th level bard and that the spells therefore lose
none of their effectiveness. Her Dark Majesty typi-
cally memorizes the following spells:
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
Magic User:
first level: detect magic, magic missile, protection
from evil, shield, unseen servant
second level: detect invisibility, levitate, mirror
image, vocalize, web
third level: clairvoyance, dispel magic, lightning
bolt, phantasmal force, suggestion
Druid:
first level: contaminate water, faerie fire, invisi-
bility to animals
second level: charm person or mammal, heat metal,
warp wood
third level: cause disease, protection from fire,
summon insects
Vamatar wears, at all times, the Token of Dispater.
This ring functions as a luckstone for Her Dark Maj-
esty. It also allows her to call upon her bridegroom
in times of desperate need, although she is loathe to
do so for she must repay each such boon. If worn by
any other person, this ring functions as a lodestone.
She also wears a ring of mind shielding. She carries
a pair of scrolls with her in a glassteel scroll case
with an ornate solid gold latching lid, (worth 7,750
GPV). The first contains: charm monster, hold mon-
ster, monster summoning IV and maze. The second
contains knock, geas and monster summoning V (all
spells scribed at 18th level of experience). On her
person, she carries a ring with three keys – to LEVEL
FOUR, AREA 2a, DUNGEON, AREAS 10 and 25.

APPENDIX B: NEW MONSTERS

THE BLACK WATCH

FREQUENCY: Very Rare (at best)

NO. APPEARING: 1 (6–60)
ARMOR CLASS: 1 (or better)
MOVE: 6”
HIT DICE: 2 and better
% IN LAIR: 100%
TREASURE TYPE: Incidental
NO. ATTACKS: 1 and better
DAMAGE/ATTACK: By weapon
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Semi
ALIGNMENT: Lawful Evil
SIZE: M (7’ tall)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil/Nil
X.P. VALUE: 171 + 2 per hit point

The Black Watch was created during dark times

in the utmost, sunless north. The majority of these
dreadful things were destroyed along with their cre-
ator in a great battle. Some remain, hidden in secret
places, tirelessly awaiting their mistress’s return.

Each member of the Watch is a suit of full plate

armor animated by a wicked spirit. The armor of
each member is inhumanly tall and thin, a dead
black in color, with a great plume of jet atop their
full helms. Neither faces nor eyes can be seen within
the empty helms.
Watch members are all armed with pole arms.
Although they will almost always be encountered
singly, there are rumored to be entire units secured
in hidden vaults in the Underworld. Watch members
are armed as follows:

32
DF34 John Turcotte
40% pole axes
25% halberds
15% voulge
10% lochaber axe
10% bardiche
As mere animated suits of armor, Watch members
are immune to all mind-affecting spells (including
fear and illusions) in addition to death magic, para-
lyzation, petrification, poison, polymorph and cold.
They suffer only 1 hit point of damage per die of fire
and electrical attacks. They are immune to psionic
blast. They have no need to eat, drink, breathe or
rest and, not possessing eyes, they are not swayed
by invisibility, alter self, or other concealing mag-
ics. They take only one-half damage from slashing
and stabbing weapons. Because they cannot heal,
but instead must be repaired, it is not uncommon to
come upon Watch members who have been dam-
aged in past battles. Therefore, maximum hit point
Watch members are quite unheard of.
There are Black Lieutenants and Captains among
them. For every twenty Black Watch members
encountered, there will be a lieutenant. Lieuten-
ants are immediately recognizable by the fact that
they bear shields and their helms have dark purple
plumes. The armor and shields of the lieutenants
are both +1, granting them an armor class of –2.
They have 4 hit dice and are typically armed with +1
bastard swords or battle axes. If fifty Watch mem-
bers are encountered, a Captain will be present.
Captains are equipped with +2 armor and shield
(armor class –4), have 6 hit dice and fight at the rate
of 3/2. They are identified by red plumes and are
all armed with bastard swords of wounding. It is
rumored that there was once a Black General, but
surely this abomination was destroyed.
The members of the Black Watch are daunting adver-
saries for they march and attack without tiring, with-
out pity, and with no regard for themselves. They can
be turned on the MATRIX FOR CLERICS AFFECTING
UNDEAD as “Special,” but holy water does not harm
them. They are kept at bay by circles of protection
from evil.
The arms and equipment of Watch members are well-
made, if Spartan. While the weapons and shields
may be recovered from a fallen Watch member, its
armor cannot, for these monstrosities must literally be
battered into uselessness in order to be destroyed.
Note that the spell mending heals 1–3 hit points on
these creatures.
33
DEVIL, KERES (Lesser Devil)
FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1–6 or 3–12
ARMOR CLASS: 3
MOVE: 18”/24”
HIT DICE: 5+5
% IN LAIR: 10%
TREASURE TYPE: Incidental
NO. ATTACKS: 3 or 2
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1–4/1–4/1–6
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 25%
ALIGNMENT: Lawful Evil
INTELLIGENCE: Very
SIZE: M (6’ tall; 12’ wingspan)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil/Nil
X.P. VALUE: 875 + 6 per hit point
The “hounds of hell,” the keres are used by greater and
archdevils to hunt down those who displease them.
They are sometimes dispatched to Gehenna, Hades,
Archeron and even the Abyss on errands of woe.
Very rarely, they are summoned to the Prime Material
to enact vengeance on behalf of their fiendish masters.
Keres have the ability to track down their quarry as
if 10th level rangers. They have superior infravision
(120’) and a tremendous sense of hearing, prevent-
ing them from being surprised (unless movement is
concealed by a silence 15’ radius spell or a success-
ful Move Silently attempt). They relish in the hunt and
will usually seek to overbear an opponent using their
superior strength. For purposes of unarmed combat,
they are treated as having 18/01 Strength. They
will not hesitate to resort to their sharp talons and
beaks, however. If a keres successfully strikes an
opponent with both claw attacks, it will harry its vic-
tim, inflicting an additional 2–8 hit point of damage
each round until it is destroyed or otherwise forced
to release its prey.
In addition to the standard abilities of its kind, keres
have the following spell-like abilities. Which they
may use at will, one at a time: detect illusion, detect
invisible, locate object, produce flame and summon
another keres devil (30% chance of success).
Keres have two forms: appearing as either well-mus-
cled human females free of any adornment with the
heads of owls, or as huge soot-colored owls with the
heads of fierce human women. They will typically
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
take to the wing to chase down foes and then assume
humanoid form in combat, but they can fight well in
either form (NOTE: In owl-bodied form, a keres does
not possess a bite attack).
GOLEM, DECANTER
FREQUENCY: Very Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1–3
ARMOR CLASS: 9
MOVE: 9”
HIT DICE: 1 (6 hit points)
% IN LAIR: 100%
TREASURE TYPE: n/a
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: special
SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
MAGIC REISTSANCE: See below
INTELLIGENCE: Non-
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: M
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense: Nil/Nil
X.P. VALUE: 196
Decanter Golems are very rare constructs. In appear-
ance, they are humanoid in shape, fashioned out of
glass. Clever hinges built into the tops of their heads
allow their pate to swing open like a teapot, permit-
ting the hollow golem to be filled with liquid. Poisons
and acids are a common choice. Their contents will
determine their coloring. It will not be immediately
apparent to onlookers that they are liquid-filled; they
will outwardly appear to be constructed out of a
crystalline substance of the appropriate color.
They can attack by touch, small spouts in their fin-
gertips allowing them to spray an opponent up to 5’
away with their contents upon a successful hit. How-
ever, the primary intent behind their creators is that
they be attacked with weapons. Any blow inflicting 6
hp of damage will cause the form to shatter, equal to
a triple-strength direct hit (see DMG, p. 64) upon its
attacker and functioning as a double-strength splash
on all creatures within a 5’ radius. The capacity of a
decanter golem is 160 pints (20 gallons).
Decanter Golems are immune to most spells, includ-
ing all mind-affecting magic, hold and paralysis,
death magic and illusions. They are not subject to
poison. They are unaffected by electricity and magic
missiles. If one fails its saving throw against fire or
cold-based spells, its contents will freeze/boil as
34
appropriate, causing it to shatter as above; if the
save is made the golem is unaffected. Decanter
golems are entitled to a saving throw against shatter
spells but are destroyed if the save is failed.
HEARTLESS ONE
FREQUENCY: Very Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOR CLASS: 9
MOVE: 12”
HIT DICE: 3
% IN LAIR: 75%
TREASURE TYPE: K
NO. ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: By weapon
SPECIAL ATTACKS: None
SPECIAL DEFENCES: See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Special
INTELLIGENCE: Low to High
ALIGNMENT: Evil
SIZE: M
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense: Nil/Nil
X.P. VALUE: 145 + 3/hit point
Created through the darkest magic, the Heartless
Ones are humans transformed into undying minions
of evil. Through unspeakable rites, they have become
abominations neither dead nor alive, but are rather
kept hovering in an awful state in-between.
Heartless Ones look as they did in life, although
the gaping wound in their chests where their hearts
should be will never heal. They are immune to death
magic and death poison. They may neither be
cured, nor subject to cause wound spells. They can
shrug off attacks from normal weapons, and only
magic weapons can temporarily harm them. They
will regenerate against even these attacks at the rate
of 1 hit point per round. Neither fire nor acid will
prevent regeneration. They may only be destroyed
by finding their heart, usually kept in a safe place
by their masters, and destroying it. Such an act oblit-
erates a Heartless One from existence. Holy water
also harms these things, inflicting 2–5 hit points of
damage on a direct splash. Wounds caused by holy
water regenerate at the rate of 1 hit point per turn.
Note that Heartless Ones are still subject to attacks
that do not cause damage, e.g., they may be par-
alyzed, blinded, deafened, etc. Moreover, they are
not undead, and are therefore vulnerable to mind-af-
fecting spells.
DF34 John Turcotte
MEPHIT

Acid Ice Lightning Slime

FREQUENCY: Very Rare Very Rare Very Rare Very Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1 1 1 1
ARMOR CLASS: 6 5 4 7
MOVE: 12”/24” 12”/24” 12”/24” 12”/24”
HIT DICE: 3 3 3+1 3
% IN LAIR: Nil Nil Nil Nil
TREASURE TYPE: 1–10 pp 1–10 pp 1–10 pp 1–10 pp
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 2 2 2
DAMAGE/ATTACK: See below 1–2/1–2 1–3/1–3 1–2/1–2
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Breath weapon Breath weapon Breath weapon Breath weapon
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below See below See below See below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard Standard Standard Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Average Average Average Average
ALIGNMENT: Evil Evil Evil Evil
SIZE: M (5’ tall) M (5’ tall) M (5’ tall) M (5’ tall)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil Nil Nil Nil
Att./Def. Modes: Nil Nil Nil Nil
X.P. VALUE: 105 + 3/hp 105 + 3/hp 105 + 3/hp 105 + 3/hp

Acid Mephit: These mephitis are bright red in color
and constantly ooze a powerful acid from their bod-
ies. The acrid stench they emanate usually betrays
their presence.
They attack using their claws, which each inflict 1 hit
point of damage, plus 1–6 points of acid damage
for 2–7 points total. Their breath weapon is a stream
of acid at a single victim within 20’ which automati-
cally hits and inflicts 2–8 points of damage (damage
halved if a successful saving throw is made). They
may use their breath weapon thrice per day.
The touch of an acid mephit can destroy material;
destroying metal armor in three rounds. They may use
stinking cloud once per day and once every hour they
can attempt to gate in 1–2 other mephitis (equal prob-
ability of each type) with a 25% chance of success.
Ice Mephit: Ice mephits are highly angular in form
and have translucent, icy-blue flesh which gives them
the appearance of crude ice sculptures.
Ice mephits attack with two clawed hands and
a breath weapon. The claw attacks inflict 1–2 hit
points of damage each and also have a freezing
effect on the victim. For every successful attack made
with a claw, the mephit’s opponent must deduct 1
from all to hit rolls due to the chilling of their muscles.
The effects are cumulative and last for 3 to 4 turns or
until the victim is restored to full hit points (whichever
occurs sooner).
The breath weapon consists of a volley of icy shards
which automatically hit a single victim within 15 feet
and inflicts 1–6 hit points of damage (halved if save
vs. breath weapon). The breath weapon may be used
every other round and up to three times per day.
Once per hour an ice mephit may attempt to gate in
another mephit with a 25% chance of success (equal
probability of each type). NOTE: Ice mephits were
created by Graeme Morris and first appeared in Eye
of the Serpent, © 1984, TSR, Inc.
Lightning Mephit: These mephitis are jet black and
covered with stiff hair that stands on end. Sparks and
crackles accompany their every move.
Lightning mephitis can attack with two claws inflicting
1–3 points of damage plus 1 point of electrical dam-
age for 2–4 points total, or with a breath weapon,
spitting out a globe of ball lightning that automati-
cally hits a target with 20’ for 1–6 points of damage.
They may use their breath weapon an unlimited num-
ber of times per day, every other round.
The mephitis can also create an electric arc once
per day that automatically hits any victim in metal
armor within 15’, inflicting 2–8 points of damage.
Targets not wearing metal armor are permitted a sav-
ing throw against spells to avoid the attack. Once
per hour they may attempt to gate in 1–2 mephits
(equal probability for all types) with a 25% chance
of success).

35
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
Slime Mephit: These mephitis are a glistening brown
in color and constantly secrete a gooey slime, leav-
ing a trail behind them as they move.
They may attack with their claws and a breath
weapon. The latter is a glob of slime that inflicts 1–4
hit points of damage to a single victim within 10’ (no
saving throw permitted nor to hit roll required). In
addition to receiving damage, the victim must save
versus breath weapon or become covered in the
ooze, halving their movement rate and causing a -1
penalty on all combat rolls until it is removed (it must
be washed off with no less than 2 gallons of water,
half that amount of alcohol). The effects of multiple
breath weapons are cumulative. Each glob will dry
and fall off in 3 turns. Slime mephitis may use their
breath weapon every other round.
Slime mephitis may use grease and ray of enfeeble-
ment once each per day, or attempt to gate in 1–2
mephits (equal probability for each type) once per
hour with a 25% chance of success.
APPENDIX C: NEW MAGIC ITEMS
Portable Trapdoor: This wondrously useful device
appears to be a standard wooden trapdoor with
an attached frame. When placed against any wall,
floor or ceiling, the portable trapdoor allows pas-
sage as if a passwall spell had been cast, albeit the
opening is only as large as the trapdoor: 3’ wide by
3’ high and 10’ deep. The passage remains open as
long as the door remains opened; if closed, the pas-
sage terminates. The ‘door may be so used once per
day. NOTE: If used upon ceilings, it must be affixed
in some manner. (XPV: 5,000; GPV: 50,000).
Staff of Winter: This is a long, gnarled hawthorn
staff, tipped at one end with an unmeltable ice
crystal. This staff has a maximum of 25 charges and
may be recharged. The following effects can be pro-
duced by using the staff:
1. A successful strike upon an opponent uses 1
charge and inflicts 2–12 hit points of cold dam-
age. Treat all targets wearing metal armor as
AC: 10 as the damage is transmitted through the
metal; dexterity advantages apply as normal.
36
THOUL
FREQUENCY: Very Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1–6
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 12”
HIT DICE: 3
% IN LAIR: 50%
TREASURE TYPE: D
NO. ATTACKS: 1–3/1–3
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Paralyzation
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Regeneration
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Average
ALIGNMENT: Lawful Evil
SIZE: M
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
X.P. VALUE: 105 + 3 per hit point
A thoul is a magical combination of a ghoul, hob-
goblin and a troll. Except when viewed closely, they
resemble hobgoblins. The touch of a thoul paralyzes
(in the same way as that of a ghoul). If it is dam-
aged, a thoul will regenerate 1 hit point per round
as long as it is alive. A thoul may not regenerate fire
or acid damage.
2. For the expenditure of 2 charges the staff’s head
can be struck upon the ground to create an area
of magical sheet ice (2” radius), which will
have the same effect as an oil of slipperiness
poured on the floor. All creatures within the area
of effect, except the staff wielder, will take 1–6
hit points of damage when this ability is used
(half damage, if save versus staff is made). The
sheet ice will remain for 1–4 turns, at the end of
which it will melt. The wielder will be unaffected
so long as he or she remains stationary.
3. For the expenditure of 2 charges, the staff’s
magic will create a blinding snowstorm con-
fined within a hemi-spherical area of 5” diam-
eter and 1” height. The centre of the storm can
be up to 10” from the wielder, and it lasts for
2–8 melee rounds. All creatures will suffer 1 hit
point of cold damage for each round that they
remain within the area of effect. In addition,
creatures in the snowstorm that fail a save ver-
sus staff will be blinded for 1–4 melee rounds
after they come out of the area of effect (a save
DF34 John Turcotte
results in no effect). Those on the edge of the
area of effect who make their saving throws,
are assumed to have jumped clear and will
suffer no adverse effects. (XPV: 5,000; GPV:
25,000) (NOTE: The Staff of Winter was cre-
ated by Alan E. Paull and appeared in White
Dwarf No. 38 (Feb. 1983)).
Sword of the Lower Planes: This is a variant of the
Sword of the Planes (q.v.). It, too, is forged only
as a broadsword. Its particular enchantment pro-
vides it with a base bonus of +1 when operating
on any of the Lower Planes (Nine Hells, Gehenna,
APPENDIX D: TRAVEL AND WANDERING ENCOUNTERS
As the party treks through the wilderness, for game
purposes, they will travel through three types of ter-
rain: Low, Medium and High Elevation:
Low Elevation includes those areas from sea level
to 200’ altitude. These areas include the shoreline,
fields, lowlands, scrub and valleys. The land here
is largely low-lying fields with scattered copses of
birch, oak and fir.
NOTE: Once the Plaints of Woe are entered, there
is seemingly nothing but a wind-scoured expanse of
ice and rime-encrusted volcanic rock outcroppings.
There is a 20% chance of wind gusts per day. These
gusts last for 1–3 hours and reduce all movement
rates by one-half (except for those equipped with
skis or snowshoes). Missile weapons may not be
used during a gust, spells are at one-half normal
range, and, if shelter cannot be found, inappropri-
ately dressed party members must save versus breath
weapon or suffer an additional 1–3 hit points of
exposure damage (q.v.) per hour.
Medium Elevation includes the hills and steep rises
from 200’ to 2,000’ elevation. These areas are
thickly-wooded with conifers and birch. Occasional
clearings provide a spectacular view of the land and
sea below. Even in the summer months, these ele-
vations are cool and it is common for frost during
the evening, and to find ice in sheltered crevices.
Each day, there is a 25% chance of rain (lasting
1–6 hours), and a 15% chance of sleet/hail which
lasts 2–5 turns (equal chance for either). Either event
slows travel by ½ for the day in which it occurs.
High Elevation areas are those 2,000’ feet or
greater in elevation. These steep areas are only
37
Hades, Tarterus and Abyss). When brought to any
of the Middle Planes (Arcadia, Nirvana, Ache-
ron, Gladsheim, Limbo or Pandemonium), or used
against opponents from those planes of existence,
the dweomer increases to +2. When used on or
against creatures from the Inner Planes (Elemental,
Prime Material) or the Ethereal or Astral Planes,
the dweomer increases to +3. It operates as a +4
weapon when employed on the Upper Planes (Seven
Heavens, Twin Paradises, Elysium, Happy Hunting
Grounds and Olympus) or against creatures from
those planes. (XPV: 2,000; GPV: 15,000)
lightly wooded, and the tree line is at 10,000 feet.
Many peaks tower above the tree line, some attain-
ing more than 20,000 feet in height. The tree growth
here consists of stunted conifers, few more than 4’
tall. In these spring months, the mountains are snow-
clad. The snow and ice cover here makes travel
treacherous. The views, however, are second to
none. The party can see the snow enshrouded Land
of Song beneath them, deeply etched by rich blue
fingers of the fjords. At night, the Northern Lights
dance about the peaks.
It is exceedingly windy and cold here, and if party
members are not appropriately dressed, they will suf-
fer 1 hit points of exposure damage per hour outside
of cover (q.v.). All missile fire is at a -1 penalty to hit
due to the winds, and ranges are halved. The high
elevation areas are often cloaked in clouds, and
snow is 20% likely each day, lasting for 1–3 hours
and leaving 1” of snow cover per hour. Every 4”
of additional snow cover reduces movement by 1”.
Each day there is also a 40% chance of wind gusts
that blast the sheer faces of the peaks. These gusts
last for 1–3 hours (removing 1–6” of snow cover
per hour) and reduce all movement rates by one-
half (except for those equipped with skis or snow-
shoes). Missile weapons may not be used during a
gust, spells are at one-half normal range, and, if shel-
ter cannot be found, inappropriately dressed party
members must save versus breath weapon or suffer
an additional 1–4 hit points of exposure damage
per hour. Note that it is possible to have both snow
and wind gusts simultaneously, and exposure dam-
age for both is cumulative
Exposure damage may not be cured by spells or
potions; only time and rest will restore lost hit points.
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
Cover: During the journey, the party may seek cover 00 Roll Plains of Woe
for protection from attack or the elements. Plentiful 01–02 1 Snow Behemoth (DDG)6
cover exists in low elevations, and can be found 03–05 1 Spectre (night)/3–12 zombies (Day) (M)
with little effort, except the Plains of Woe, where 06–10 Sleet Storm7
the chance of finding cover is only 10% per hour 11–20 1–4 Giant Owls (M)
searched, increased to 20% if a druid or ranger is 21–31 1–2 Wooly Rhino (M)
with the party. In medium elevations, the chance 32–42 4–24 Quaggoths
of finding cover is 40% per hour, increasing by an 43–54 Herd Animals (M)2
additional 10% per additional hour of searching. If 55–64 6–24 Dire Wolves (M)
a druid, dwarf or ranger is with the party, the base 65–73 1 Northern Bear (MM)
chance is increased to 80%. In high elevation areas, 74–80 1–2 Wooly Mammoths (M)
the party has a 10% cumulative chance, per hour, 81–86 1–4 Winter Wolves (M)
of finding cover. This chance is doubled if a druid, 87–91 1–4 Hoar Fox (FF)
dwarf or ranger is with the party. For every three 92–94 1 Giant Wolverine (M)
hours of searching for cover, the party’s per day 95–97 1–8 Ice Trolls (FF)
movement is reduced by one-fourth. 98–99 Blizzard4
00 1 Remorhaz (10–12 HD, M)
Movement Rates: A party will move through the wil-
derness at the following rates: 00 Roll Shorelands (includes 1 hex inland and fjords)
01–02 1 Fog Giant (FF)
Terrain Type Afoot Mounted 06–09 1 Northern Bear (MII)
Medium Elevation 8 miles (2 hexes) 11 miles (3 hexes) 03–05 1 Giant Squid (M)8
High Elevation 4 miles (1 hex) 6 miles (2 hexes) 10–15 1–4 Scrags (MII)
16–21 1–4 Giant Lobsters9
Encounters: Encounter checks are made four times a 22–28 4–40 Sea Lions10
day (for game purposes, morning, noon, dusk and 29–50 10–100 Seals11
night) with encounters occurring on a 1 in 8 chance. 64–73 2–20 Walrus12
On the Plains of Woe, encounters occur on a 1 in 74–80 4–24 Quaggoths1
12 chance. 81–86 10–40 Sahuagin (M)
92–95 2–20 Mermen (M)
00 Roll Trevärä Peaks 96–97 1 Siren (MM)
01–02 1–2 Frost Giants (M) 98–99 Blizzard4
03–05 1–2 Galeb Duhrs (MII) 00 1 Linnorm13
06–10 4–24 Quaggoths (FF)1
11–20 2–8 Giant Rams (M) Encounter Notes:
21–31 4–40 Gnolls (M)
32–42 Herd Animals (M)2 1. Quaggoths are 50% likely to have either a short-
43–54 4–40 Dwarves (M)3 faced bear (treat as Northern Bear) or 2–12 dire
55–64 1–2 Cave Bears (M) wolves with them. A group of 24 quaggoths will
65–73 6–36 Goblins (M) be accompanied by a 4 HD leader-type (+1/+2
74–80 Blizzard4 to hit/damage) and a “weather witch,” female
81–86 1–6 Hippogriffs (M) cleric/magic-user witchdoctor of 3/3rd level.
87–91 1–8 Ice Trolls (FF)
92–94 1–4 Winter Wolves (M) 2. These will consist of the following:
95–97 1–4 Tatzelworms (NM)5
98–99 1–6 Yeti (M) Animal Type Plains Mountains
00 1–2 White Dragons (M) 3–12 mountain — 01–60
goats
2–8 elk 01–20 61–70
2–20 reindeer 21–50 —
4–16 musk oxen 51–80 —
2–8 yaks — 71–85
2–12 goats 81–00 86–00

38
DF34 John Turcotte
3. If the encounter occurs at night, there is a 30%
chance that 3–12 duergar are encountered
instead.
4. A ferocious blizzard engulfs the party. The
heroes should try to find adequate shelter imme-
diately. All in the party, mounts included, must
save versus breath weapon every hour they are
without cover or suffer 2–8 hit points of exposure
damage. Those who successfully save suffer only
half damage (Note that a person not properly
attired suffers double damage each hour (hardy
mounts bred in the Land of Song are considered
to be “properly attired”)). Any person who suffers
maximum damage any given hour is required to
make a SYSTEM SHOCK SURVIVAL roll or per-
ish. The blizzard will continue for 2–12 hours
before relenting, leaving 3–5 inches of snow per
hour in its wake.
Those exposed to the blizzard move at one-third
their normal rate, the use of missile weapons
is impossible, and spell casters must make a
successful saving throw against petrification in
order to successfully cast a spell. Note that if
this encounter is rolled, and the party had cast
predict weather earlier that day, the DM should
reveal this encounter well in advance. NOTE:
Exposure damage is not a “wound” and cannot
therefore be healed by the various cure spells.
Such damage may only be healed through rest
while sheltered or properly attired.
5. These monsters are described in the module
Stormcrows Gather.
6. This monster is described in the DEITIES &
DEMIGODS, “Nehwon Mythos” (AC: 4; MV:
12”/18”; HD: 15; #ATT: 1; DM: 4–40; XPV:
4,000 + 20/hp).
APPENDIX E: TRAVEL WANDERING ENCOUNTER TABLES FOR THE PLAINS OF DIS
The DM is free to devise any manner of locales within
Dis. The DM is encouraged to review “The Nine
Hells, Part I,” by Ed Greenwood, Dragon Magazine
#75 (Jul. 1983). The area within a 6 hex-radius of
Nälkäinen Kivenen is a plain of ragged volcanic
rock blanketed in drifts of blue-black ash. Occa-
sional streams of liquid flames rake the landscape
and collect in low places, creating outlandish bogs.
39
7. This storm will dump 1–6” of precipitation. All
movement is reduced to 50% during the storm.
Unless PCs seek cover they must save ver-
sus breath weapon or suffer 1–4 hit points of
exposure damage per hour (those who are not
dressed accordingly suffer maximum damage
each hour). The storm will last for 1–3 hours.
8. If this encounter is called for inland, this creature
will be trapped in the shallows of low tide.
9. As giant crayfish (see MONSTER MANUAL).
10. These large pinnipeds (AC: 5; MV: 3”//18”;
HD: 4; #ATT: 1; DM: 2–8) can be aggressive if
threatened.
11. These animals (AC: 6; MV: 3”//15”; HD: 2;
#ATT: 1; DM: 2–5) are widely hunted. Males will
defend their harems. 10% of these encounters
will be with 1–6 leopard seals instead. These
12’ long, 800 pound predators (AC: 5; MV:
9”//18”; HD: 3+3; #ATT: 1; DM: 2–8) are not
above hunting human (and demi-human) prey.
12. Anyone from the Land of Song can advise
heroes to leave these large creatures (AC: 4;
MV: 3’/12”; HD: 6; #ATT: 1; DM: 3–18) alone.
The males’ ivory tusks are valuable, worth 72
gp each.
13. These monsters are described in the module
Stormcrows Gather and also in Footprints #9,
both available for free download at www.drag-
onsfoot.org.
Travel across the plains is at the rate of 11 miles
(3 hexes) afoot; 15 miles mounted (4 hexes) per
day. Note that both weird game and sulphur-reeking
water can be found in Hell, but purify food and drink
will be required.
Encounters in the areas surrounding the Ghost City
are indicated on a roll of 1 on 1d10; checks are
made every four hours.
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
00 Roll Encounter 00 Roll Encounter
01 1 Devil, Greater1 48–50 15–60 Stench Kow (MM)
02–03 1–4 Ash Stalkers2 51–53 10–40 larvae (M)
03–04 1–4 Dragons, Blue (M) 54–56 5–60 Ashen Bones10
05 1 Dispater’s “Cat”3 57–59 2–8 Devil, Abishai (MM)11
06–07 1 Nightmare (M) 60–62 1–4 Manticore (M)
08–09 1–3 Zombires4 63–65 Foul Gas12
10–11 2–8 Devils, Erinyes (M) 66–70 Infernal Patrol13
12–14 1–6 Hordlings (MM) 71–74 4–10 Devil, Bearded (MM)
15–17 2–12 Wraiths (M) 75–78 1–2 Monster Zombire14
18–20 2–5 Drifting Glooms5 79–82 1–4 Devil, Bone (M)
21–23 2–8 Achaierai (FF) 83–86 1–4 Dragon, Green (M)
24–26 Ferocious Winds6 87–89 1 Despairimental15
27–29 3–24 Frostburn Zombies7 90–92 Fortress16
30–32 5–50 Nupperibo (MM) 93–94 Adventuring Party17
33–35 2–12 Devil, Spined (MM) 95–96 1–2 Rakshasa
36–38 2–8 Hellhounds (M) 97–98 1 Violet Pudding18
39–41 1–6 Trapdoor Fiends8 99 Daemon19
42–44 1–4 Mephit (FF)9 00 Lightning Bolt20
45–47 5–30 Lemures (M)

Encounter Notes:

1. DM’s discretion as to type and number. Any XPV: 250 + 4/hp; Created by Len Lakofka, The
greater devil is 60% likely to be accompanied Secret of Bone Hill (TSR, 1981)). Unlike zom-
by (01–70) 2–8 lesser devils, (71–90) 4–16 bies, they are not slow; they cast spells as 3rd
hellhounds or (91–00) 1–6 spectres. level magic-users.

2. As dune stalkers (FF), but naturally invisible; only
made visible by their footprints in the ash.
3. This bizarre creature looks like a long tangled
braid of neon multicolored ropes. It slithers at a
frightening speed, but can protrude up to eight
clawed “limbs” and assume a vaguely animal
shape (AC: 2; MV: 24”; HD: 7+7; HP: 51;
#ATT: 4; DM: 2–5/2–5/2–5/2–5; SA: pounce,
rend; SD: magic weapon needed to hit, immune
to heat and cold; SZ: L (14’ long); AL: LE; MR:
35%; XPV: 1,860). It is able to extinguish its
glow for up to 3 rounds, can literally spring itself
forward up to 20’ attacking at +1 to hit (this
counts as a charge), and attacks with its four
front-most claws. If any two claws hit, can rend
for an additional 2–12 points of damage (it can
rend twice if all four claws successfully hit). If
slain, Dispater will know of it, and will send 5–8
keres devils to hunt the transgressor(s) down.
4. These are the animated remains of extremely evil
magic-users (AC: 5; MV: 12”; HD: 3+3; #ATT:
1; DM: 2–12; SA: spells; SD: immune to hold,
charm, sleep, poison and cold; Turn as wights;
5. These weird things look like large floating bio-
luminescent comb jellyfish (AC: 7; MV: 0”/6”;
HD: 3+3; #ATT: 1; DM: 2–8; SA: Touch requires
save vs. death magic or swoon unconscious for
2–5 rounds; SD: SD: immune to mind-affecting
spells; ½ damage from fire and cold; XPV: 532
+ 4/hp). They will glom onto swooning victims
and drain 1 level/round; each one can drain up
to 2 levels before being sated.
6. These winds will gust for 5–50 rounds, during
which there is a 10% chance per round of blow-
ing any standing figures prone. Missile fire is
impossible, combat is fought at a -2 penalty and
spell use requires a caster to make a successful
saving throw against petrification or the spell is
lost. Flying creatures, even Dispater’s enrinyes,
have a 30% chance per round of being forced
to the ground.
7. These zombies are alight with cold blue-black
flames (AC: 6; MV: 6”; HD: 3; #ATT: 1; DM:
1–8; SA: touch ignites combustables (save vs.
frost); SD: immune to sleep, charm, hold, cold
and fire; Turn as wights; XPV: 155 + 3/hp).

40
DF34 John Turcotte
8. These are glossy black ankhegs (M).
9. Equal probability for each type of mephit.
10. Ash-encrusted skeletons (AC; 6; MV: 9”; HD: 2;
#ATT: 1; DM: 2–7; SA: breath weapon: cloud of
ashes and hot embers 5’ r. (1d6 hp damage (no
save)) – 2×/day; SD: ½ damage from edged/
sharp weapons, immune to sleep, charm, hold,
cold and fire; Turn as shadows; XPV: 113 +
2/hp).
11. 00 Roll Encounter 00 Roll Encounter
01–30 Mixed Party* 71–80 Green
31–60 Red 81–90 Black
61–70 Blue 91–00 White
* roll randomly for each abishai present
12. This pocket of ill vapors requires all party mem-
bers to save versus poison or be affected as if by
a ray of enfeeblement cast at 11th level. The 6”
× 6” × 6” cloud dissipates in 1d10 rounds, but
the duration of the poison effects last for 3–30
turns or until neutralized.
13. Infernal patrol – consult the following table:
00 Roll Encounter
01–10 Lemure Hunt: 1 bone devil leads 1–3 spined
devils and 2–8 hellhounds on a hunt. The
bone devil rides a bizarre destrier that
resembles a six-legged headless elephant
(AC: 5; MV: 12”; HD: 12; #ATT: 1 tram-
ple; DM: 4–24). Atop is a large wire basket
holding 0–5 lemures.
11–30 Zombie Squad: A horde of 40–160 zom-
bies shambles across the wastes, led by a
(1) spectre; (2) a 7th level hobgoblin sha-
man; or (3) a juju zombie.
31–50 Nupperibo Herders: 30–300 nupperibos
herded by 1–2 spined devils for every 30
of their number. For every 10 spined devils,
there will be a bearded devil master.
51–68 Sweep: (1) An enrinyes with 3 spined devils
flying in formation; (2) a medusa astride a
horrendous bat (AC: 5; MV: 3”/24”; HD:
6; #ATT: 1; DM: 1–6 + rage virus), or (3)
a LE sirine riding a nightmare. All are on
patrol, looking for anything unusual (which
is saying something in Hell). If threatened,
they will retreat and a Military Maneuver
(q.v.) will arrive in the area 40–160 rounds
afterward.
41
69–89 Infernal Caravan: 4–24 stench kows laden
with goods, accompanied by 4–40 nupper-
ibo (similarly laden). A barbed devil master
oversees with the aid of 5–8 spined devils
and 4–16 hellhounds. The caravan is con-
sidered Treasure Type H and X for what valu-
able goods it may be carrying.
90–00 Military Maneuver: A unit of 300 nubberi-
bos, 30 spined devils, and 5 bearded devils
marches in Hell. The unit is overseen by a
(1) monster zombie(q.v.), (2) bone devil, or
(3) a spectre. The overseer will have 3–12
hellhounds under its command.
14. These are the animated remains of exceed-
ingly evil humanoid shamans (AC: 3; MV: 9”;
HD: 7+3; #ATT: 1; DM: 3–18; SA: spells; SD:
Immune to sleep, charm, hold, poison and cold;
½ damage from blunt weapons; Turn as wraiths;
XPV: 1,525 + 10/hp). They can cast spells as
4th level evil clerics. 30% of the time, they will
be accompanied by 2–8 monster zombies.
15. These horrors are invisible and are seen only by
the pale torn shrouds they wear flapping in the
wind (AC: 0; MV: 9”; HD: 5; #ATT: 1; DM: spe-
cial; SA: touch equal to symbol of hopelessness
(clerical; save vs. spells); SD: magical weapons
needed to hit, immune to poison, charm, hold
and sleep; MR: 30%; XPV: 480 + 5/hp). All
who surrender are turned over to an infernal
patrol (q.v.).
16. An infernal structure is sighted, which could be
anything the DM chooses, from shade-haunted
clockwork ruins to the cloister of some paranoid
major devil or minor godling.
17. The party of 6–11th level NPCs is determined by
the Character Subtable and descriptions in the
DUNGEON MASTERS GUIDE, p. 175.
18. As a white pudding (MM).
19. 00 Roll Encounter 00 Roll Encounter
01–10 1 yagnodaemon 71–80 1-4 hydrodaemon
31–60 1–2 derghodaemon 81–90 1 mezzodaemon
61–70 2-5 piscodaemon 91–00 mixed*
* DM’s discretion
20. A bolt of red lightning randomly strikes a non-in-
fernal creature (6d6 in 10’ diameter circle; save
v. breath for ½).
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City
Area Map
Map A - A portion of the Land of Song

Scale: 1 hex = 4 miles © Dragonsfoot Games, All Rights Reserved

42
DF34 John Turcotte
Area Map
Map B - The Ghost City of Nälkäinen Kivenen

Scale: 1 hex = approx. 85 ft. © Dragonsfoot Games, All Rights Reserved

Note: Wall thickness is exagerrated, as is fortress

43
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City

44
DF34 John Turcotte

45
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City

46
DF34 John Turcotte

47
John Turcotte Mistress of the Ghost City

48
DF34 John Turcotte

49